CHRISTIAN SCIENCE COUPLE TO APPEAL ENDANGERMENT CONVICTION

A Christian Science couple was acquitted Friday of involuntary manslaughter but convicted of child endangerment for relying on prayer instead of medical treatment for the couple's dying daughter. Mark Rippberger and Susan Middleton, members of the Church of Christ, Scientist, face up to four years in state prison for the 1984 death of their 8-month-old daughter, Natalie Susan, from what doctors said was meningitis.

Sentencing is set for Oct. 12. The family's attorney said he will appeal the conviction.