Judge Allows Charges In Prayer Death Case
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Judge Allows Charges In Prayer Death Case
A judge has refused to dismiss charges against the parents of an 11-year-old girl who prayed instead of seeking a doctor’s care as their daughter died of untreated diabetes.
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(December 2, 2008)—A judge in Wisconsin has refused to dismiss charges against the parents of an 11-year-old girl who prayed instead of seeking a doctor’s care as their daughter died of untreated diabetes.

The couple is expected to appeal the ruling by Marathon County, Wis. Judge Vincent Howard.

Dale and Leilani Neumann have pleaded not guilty to second-degree reckless homicide and their attorneys wanted the charges dismissed on constitutional grounds.

The couple's daughter, Madeline, died of untreated diabetes at their home on Easter. Prosecutors say the girl likely had symptoms for weeks that should have prompted the parents to seek medical treatment.

At the heart of the dispute are two Wisconsin laws.

One law says it is not child abuse to treat illness through prayer alone.

The second is a homicide law that makes no exception for prayer.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Sarah Location: Eddy on Dec 3, 2008 at 01:27 AM

I completely agree with Rachel. Especially being the medical field, I know exactly what she is talking about. Parents should not withhold medical treatment from their children. Kids are not able to make "legal" decision's and... some adults should not either.
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Posted by: Suzanne Location: Temple on Dec 3, 2008 at 01:18 AM

How many more children have to die because of idiots who don't or won't accept the fact that doctors are more beneficial and effective than prayer?
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Posted by: Rachel Location: Temple on Dec 2, 2008 at 09:55 PM

Parents should not have the right to withhold medical care from their kids for any reason if death is a possibility. If they want to pray and put their own lives at stake, they are adults and more power to them. Children don't have the ability to make those decisions and parents (here we go right to lifers) should be required to let them live life until they can make their own choices. Talk about murder!
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