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Couple jailed again after defying judge about baby

ATTLEBORO, Massachusetts (CNN) -- A Massachusetts judge ordered a couple who are members of a controversial religious sect back to jail Thursday for another 30 days after they refused to produce proof that they either had a baby or that the woman had suffered a miscarriage.

Rebecca and David Corneau appeared before Juvenile Court Judge Kenneth Nasif, who had ordered the two jailed after a January hearing.

Their sect, called "The Body," shuns modern medical treatment.

Massachusetts Court of Appeals Justice Janis Berry has called the religious group a cult that endangers children. The state took custody of the Corneaus' four other children.

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Another Corneau child died soon after birth and was secretly buried in Maine alongside an infant cousin, who prosecutors say was starved to death by the cult. Sect members have been charged in the cousin's death.

The current case arose after Massachusetts officials became concerned last year when they received reports that Rebecca Corneau was pregnant again.

A custody hearing was ordered. At that time, the Corneaus said the pregnancy had ended in a miscarriage.

The Corneaus said their beliefs prohibit them from taking an oath, and Nasif said he did not believe them. No witnesses testified about a miscarriage or birth because the Corneaus said their faith does not require them to offer proof.

Nasif ordered them to produce proof of their claims. When they failed to do so, the judge had them held for contempt of court. They have been in custody since February 5 after an appeals court upheld the order to jail them.

The couple again did not produce proof Thursday, and Nasif ordered them back to jail until March 14.

The Corneaus' attorney said he will appeal the judge's lastest ruling.