Autistic Boy Dies During Church Bid to Cure Him

An autistic 8-year-old boy died while being restrained during a church prayer service held in an attempt to cure him, and a minister connected with the small storefront church was arrested, police and a church official said.

The boy’s mother took him to the Faith Temple Church of the Apostolic Faith in Milwaukee, where several church members prayed over him until someone noticed he wasn’t moving and called 911, said Bishop David Hemphill Sr.

Church members had wrapped the boy in sheets to keep him from scratching, said Hemphill, whose brother, Ray, another minister at the church, was arrested.

Police, awaiting an autopsy, did not release the boy’s name.