Leilani and Dale Neumann Charged

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

The parents of an 11-year-old girl who died of complications from untreated diabetes last month have both been charged with second-degree reckless homicide, according to Marathon County District Attorney Jill Falstad.

Madeline Kara Neumann died March 23. The girl's parents, Leilani and Dale Neumann, of Weston, have said they didn't know she had diabetes, didn't take her to a doctor and prayed for healing.

..."Second-degree reckless homicide has two elements," Falstad said. "The first element is that the defendant caused the death of another. The second element is that the defendant caused the death by criminally reckless conduct.

"In this case, that conduct was the failure to seek medical intervention. The failure to seek medical intervention created unreasonable and substantial risk of death or great bodily harm to Kara and the Neumanns were aware of the risk."

..."There has been a great deal of discussion regarding the availability of a 'religious defense' in this case," Falstad said in the statement. "In our nation we have a constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion. We also give parents leeway in matters of child rearing. However, neither is absolute. In this case, it was necessary to weigh 'freedom of religion' and 'parenting rights' against the state's interests in protecting children."

It took a long time for the Neumanns to be charged in their daughter's death.

I agree with the charges.
________________

More, from the Associated Press.

Child Neglect and Easter Baskets

UDPATE, April 28, 2008: Parents in diabetes case charged

The parents of an 11-year-old girl who died of complications from untreated diabetes last month have both been charged with second-degree reckless homicide, according to Marathon County District Attorney Jill Falstad.

...In a statement released at a 1 p.m. news conference, Falstad said the parents' actions meet the standard of the charges.

"Second-degree reckless homicide has two elements," Falstad said. "The first element is that the defendant caused the death of another. The second element is that the defendant caused the death by criminally reckless conduct.

"In this case, that conduct was the failure to seek medical intervention. The failure to seek medical intervention created unreasonable and substantial risk of death or great bodily harm to Kara and the Neumanns were aware of the risk."

_______________


A father is in trouble, facing possible charges for leaving his young daughters inside a car while he shopped at Wal-Mart to pick up Easter baskets and candy.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

The Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office is considering whether to file charges against a Muskego man who allegedly left his daughters, ages 5 and 3, inside his car in the parking lot of a Greenfield Wal-Mart for at least 20 minutes on a cold day last month, according to an incident report filed by a Greenfield police officer.

According to the report:

Greenfield police were called to the parking lot of the store at 4500 S. 108th St. about 10:51 p.m. March 22 to check on two children who had been left unattended in a Honda Accord.

The responding officer saw the children in the back seat of the car and noticed the car's rear windows were fogged.

The officer opened the unlocked driver's door and asked the girls who they were with at the store. The older sister, whose breath was visible as she spoke, told the officer that their father had left them in the car when he went into the store.

The older girl estimated that she and her sister had been in the car about as long as an episode of "Barney and Friends," but not as long as an episode of "Sesame Street."

...As the officer was talking with the girls, their father, 25, came back to the car. He insisted the car's doors had been locked and said he had left the girls in the car because he wanted to surprise them by buying Easter baskets and gifts.

The father estimated he had been in the store for about 10 minutes, but a man who was parked nearby told police the girls had been inside the car for at least 20 minutes before the officer arrived.

TMJ4 has some additional details:

25 year old Jordan Ebbott is facing the possibility of child neglect charges after leaving his three and five year old daughters in a car in the Walmart parking lot here.

...“We have a nine month old yellow lab puppy,” explained Ebbott’s stepfather, Bob Rose. “The dog got into the candy and now there was no candy for his two little daughters.”

Rose went on to say that his stepson is a “good father” and didn’t want to disappoint his daughters on Easter morning.

...The Milwaukee County District Attorney’s sensitive crimes unit is considering what, if any, charges to bring against Ebbott. But the unit is awaiting a report from the Bureau of Child Welfare. The case will be reviewed again on May 2nd.

It appears that Ebbott's intentions were good. And thankfully, his daughters weren't harmed as a result of being left alone in the car.

But, under no circumstances does one leave a 5- and a 3-year-old unattended in a car, especially at around 11:00PM.

The girls should have been in their beds sleeping at that hour, not waiting in a cold car in a dark parking lot.

Ebbott had other options. He could have had someone, like his step-father, stay with the girls while he ran out for the Easter treats. If that couldn't happen, then Ebbott could have gone out early the next morning. Or, he could have asked his mother or step-father to shop for him.

The "dog ate it" excuse sounds a little weird. In any event, children that young should not be left alone in a car. Period.

So, the case will be reviewed again at the beginning of May, and Ebbott will learn what, if any, charges he will face.

Compare this case with what happened to 11-year-old Madeline Kara Neumann.

Kara died from complications of untreated diabetes because her parents chose to pray for her to be healed rather than seek medical care for their daughter.

From the Wausau Daily Herald:

It will be Wednesday or Thursday before the Everest Metro Police Department completes its investigation of the sudden death of an 11-year-old girl, Chief Dan Vergin said [Monday] afternoon.

Vergin said last week the case could be forwarded to the Marathon County district attorney’s office today to determine if criminal charges would be filed in the death of Madeline Kara Neumann. Investigators now want to conduct more interviews and corroborate some information before that happens, Vergin said.

There's no question that Ebbott used very poor judgment when he left his little girls unattended in the car for about 20 minutes. I think some sort of charge or citation is in order.

I'm not excusing Ebbott, but the lapse in judgment that he displayed is in a completely different league than Dale and Leilani Neumann's failure to get their daughter to a doctor when it was clear that she was seriously ill.

These two cases are similar in that the issue is child neglect. In Ebbott's case, something could have happened to the girls when he briefly left them alone, but nothing did. In the Neumanns' case, their neglect resulted in death. Their daughter died because of their choice to try to pray her back to health.

There's something very wrong with our criminal justice system if Ebbott is charged for what he did and the Neumanns are given a free pass for their actions because their neglect stemmed from practicing religious beliefs.

Adults must held responsible for properly caring for their children. Exercising one's religion should not provide an excuse for allowing a child die.

Charges for Dale and Leilani Neumann?

UDPATE, April 28, 2008: Parents in diabetes case charged

The parents of an 11-year-old girl who died of complications from untreated diabetes last month have both been charged with second-degree reckless homicide, according to Marathon County District Attorney Jill Falstad.

...In a statement released at a 1 p.m. news conference, Falstad said the parents' actions meet the standard of the charges.

"Second-degree reckless homicide has two elements," Falstad said. "The first element is that the defendant caused the death of another. The second element is that the defendant caused the death by criminally reckless conduct.

"In this case, that conduct was the failure to seek medical intervention. The failure to seek medical intervention created unreasonable and substantial risk of death or great bodily harm to Kara and the Neumanns were aware of the risk."

_______________

The investigation into the death of Madeline Kara Neumann continues.

WAUSAU, Wis. (AP) -- Police are still reviewing the diabetes death of an 11-year-old rural Weston girl whose parents tried to heal her with prayer instead of taking her to the doctor.

Madeline Neumann died last Sunday of the undiagnosed by treatable condition.

...Everest Metro Police Chief Dan Vergin says he expects to have his investigation done Monday or Tuesday and then send the information to the district attorney.

The chief says he won't make any recommendation on charges, leaving that up to the D.A.

The story of Kara Neumann's came to mind when I read this story about a 15-month-old's death:

A grand jury indicted an Oregon City couple accused of failing to seek medical treatment for their gravely ill daughter who died this month.

Carl Worthington, 28, and Raylene Worthington, 25, surrendered late Friday to face charges of manslaughter and criminal mistreatment, said Detective Jim Strovink of the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office.

They were held on $250,000 bail each and their first court appearance was scheduled for Monday afternoon.

The couple's daughter, 15-month-old Ava, died at home March 2 from bacterial bronchial pneumonia and infection. A deputy state medical examiner said Ava's medical problems were treatable with antibiotics.

The Worthingtons belong to Oregon City's Followers of Christ Church. According to church tradition, when members become ill, fellow worshippers pray and anoint them with oil.

Dozens of children have been buried in the parish cemetery over the past 50 years, and a 1998 analysis by The Oregonian newspaper found that many of the deaths could have prevented with medical care.

The 1999 Oregon Legislature eliminated the state's "spiritual-healing defense" in cases of second-degree manslaughter, first- and second-degree criminal mistreatment and nonpayment of child support. Legislators were prompted by the death of 11-year-old Oregon City boy whose diabetes was left untreated. His parents were members of the Followers of Christ Church.

I think the Oregon Legislature got it right.

Practicing one's religion should not be considered an excuse for endangering the life of another person, especially in the case of a parent neglecting a child.

More Details on the Death of Madeline Kara Neumann

UDPATE, April 28, 2008: Parents in diabetes case charged

The parents of an 11-year-old girl who died of complications from untreated diabetes last month have both been charged with second-degree reckless homicide, according to Marathon County District Attorney Jill Falstad.

...In a statement released at a 1 p.m. news conference, Falstad said the parents' actions meet the standard of the charges.

"Second-degree reckless homicide has two elements," Falstad said. "The first element is that the defendant caused the death of another. The second element is that the defendant caused the death by criminally reckless conduct.

"In this case, that conduct was the failure to seek medical intervention. The failure to seek medical intervention created unreasonable and substantial risk of death or great bodily harm to Kara and the Neumanns were aware of the risk."

_______________

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

A local police official said Friday that charges are possible against the parents of Madeline Kara Neumann, the 11-year-old girl who died of complications from untreated diabetes. "If we didn't believe at the end of our investigation there (would) be charges, then our investigation would have ended a lot sooner," Everest Metro Police Chief Dan Vergin said in an interview with the Journal Sentinel.

He said his department will likely complete its investigation by early next week and that ultimately it will be up to the Marathon County district attorney to determine what charges, if any, could be filed in a case that has received national attention.

"Our feeling is it was an unnecessary death," Vergin said. "After everything else is said and done, it was unnecessary for the 11-year-old to die. She could have easily been treated and had a long, loving life here on Earth."

Lesli Pluster, an assistant district attorney, said the case "is still considered under investigation."

...Earlier this week, police executed a search warrant on the Neumanns' home and took away medications, medical books, bedding, religious books, videos and pamphlets, as well as diaries and computer equipment.

Among the items taken by police from the home were eight Blue Cross HMO cards for the family, according to an inventory. The record didn't indicate whether the cards were still valid or had expired.

The book "Sovereign God," by David Eells, and several CDs by Eells were also taken. Eells is the founder of the Web site AmericasLastDays.com and Unleavened Bread Ministries. Leilani Neumann has written two posts on the Web site, and she and her husband had twice prayed over the telephone with Eells in the waning hours of Kara's life.

Other books included "Handbook for Healing," "God's Chosen Fast," "90 Minutes in Heaven," "Dear God Prayer Book" and a medical and first-aid book.

Members of the Neumann family appear to have been followers of David Eells. At the very least, it appears that they were influenced by him. The Neumanns claim not to be religious fanatics but the evidence removed from their home would suggest otherwise.

At this point, there are no charges against the Neumanns but Police Chief Vergin does expect charges to filed.

Some of the latest revelations about Kara's condition in her final days and hours come from her grandmother.

...Evalani Gordon, the girl's grandmother, told an investigator that her granddaughter had been ill for one to 1 ½ weeks and reported that "Madeline was very tired and wanted to be held by mom."

She said three to four days before her granddaughter's death, "the girl only wanted to lie down and do homework from her bed." By Saturday, when the girl was unable to walk or talk, the grandmother, who lives out of state, told Leilani Neumann to take Madeline to a doctor, the document says.

"Leilani Neumann told Evalani Gordon that Madeline would be fine and God would heal her," according to the document.

On Sunday, Gordon spoke with Leilani Neumann and discovered the girl was in a coma. Gordon then contacted a daughter-in-law, Ariel Ness, who lives in California. Ness then called the Marathon County Dispatch Center.

Ness later contacted the dispatch center to inform authorities that "water may have been poured down the girl's throat," the document says.

Marathon County Medical Examiner John Larson said that the girl "was found to be in an emaciated state," according to the document.

In an interview with the Journal Sentinel, Larson said, "I think it's probably safe to say she was gaunt, drawn, extremely slender. She certainly had an appearance of malnutrition and dehydration."

According to the Web site of the American Diabetes Association, the body burns fat to get energy in ketoacidosis.

If an 11-year-old child is unable to walk or talk, it's time to get medical care immediately.

That's not a difficult call to make.

Vergin also provided other details of the case in an interview. He said the Neumanns' three other children were at the home as well as Althea and Randall Wormgoor, friends of the couple. The Wormgoors spoke on the phone during a 911 call from the home Sunday.

Vergin said when authorities arrived at the home, "the copper just scooped the child up and ran out to the ambulance."

Friday, a friend of the family answered the door at the Neumanns' home and said the family was not interested in talking.

I can understand why the family wouldn't be interested in talking.

If I were grieving the death of a child, there's no way I would agree to talk to the media, whatever the circumstances.

According to the Wisconsin State Journal:

Three siblings of a Weston girl who died from untreated diabetes as her parents prayed for healing instead of taking her to a doctor have been removed from the home to stay with other relatives, police said Friday.

An agreement was reached between the parents and social services experts that the move would be in the best interests of everyone, Everest Metro Police Chief Dan Vergin said.

The children are not in danger, he said.

"They were checked out by physicians. ... Physically, they are fine," he said. "There is no physical evidence of abuse or neglect. None."

...The children removed from the home range in age from 13 to 16 and are expected to return to their parents once an investigation of the girl's death wraps up, Vergin said.

He would not specify where they are living, other than with another family member.

...Vergin said his agency's final report will make no recommendations on possible charges against the parents, leaving that up to the district attorney to decide.

"There is no intent. They didn't want their child to die. They thought what they were doing was the right thing," he said. "They believed up to the time she stopped breathing she was going to get better. They just thought it was a spiritual attack. They believed if they prayed enough she would get through it."

...If the district attorney believes the parents did not have a "good-faith belief" that the girl was about to die and they had a strong belief in relying on prayer for treatment, it would be difficult to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that a crime occurred, [Janine Geske, a Marquette University law professor,] said.

New details emerged Friday on how quickly the girl's health deteriorated.

"We are getting people who saw this girl a week before she passed away and she appeared fine," Vergin said.

The girl became bedridden last Saturday, he said.

I don't know how the Neumanns were able to stand by and pray as they watched their daughter become bedridden, unable to walk or talk.

Even if her dramatic deterioration took place within a day or two of her death, that was plenty of time for the Neumanns to get their daughter medical care. They had to know that her life was in danger.

I believe that the parents never intended for her to die. I just can't believe that they really thought they were doing the right thing by failing to get their daughter to a doctor when she was obviously so ill.

The grandmother was saying that the child needed to see a doctor. I don't know why she chose to get her daughter-in-law in California involved rather than just calling 911 herself.

...The grandmother eventually contacted a daughter-in-law in California who called police last Sunday on a non-emergency line, reporting the girl was in a coma and needed medical help. An ambulance was dispatched to the home shortly before some friends in the home called 911 to report the girl had stopped breathing, authorities said.

It's so sad to think that an ambulance was en route to the home when Kara stopped breathing and the adults in the home finally decided it was time to call 911.

I think it would be wrong not to charge the Neumanns. Just because they didn't want her to die, and I truly believe they didn't, doesn't mean they shouldn't be held accountable for neglecting her.

Although Kara's death wasn't intentional, it can't be considered an accident. Her parents failed her. I don't think religion can be used as an excuse for a degree of that neglect that has such devastating consequences.

Unleavened Bread Ministries and America's Last Days

UDPATE, April 28, 2008: Parents in diabetes case charged

The parents of an 11-year-old girl who died of complications from untreated diabetes last month have both been charged with second-degree reckless homicide, according to Marathon County District Attorney Jill Falstad.

...In a statement released at a 1 p.m. news conference, Falstad said the parents' actions meet the standard of the charges.

"Second-degree reckless homicide has two elements," Falstad said. "The first element is that the defendant caused the death of another. The second element is that the defendant caused the death by criminally reckless conduct.

"In this case, that conduct was the failure to seek medical intervention. The failure to seek medical intervention created unreasonable and substantial risk of death or great bodily harm to Kara and the Neumanns were aware of the risk."

_______________


The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports:

The night before 11-year-old Madeline Kara Neumann died of complications from diabetes, her Town of Weston family prayed over the telephone with the founder of the AmericasLastDays.com Web site, the founder said today.

David Eells, whose Unleavened Bread Ministries operates the site, said that on Saturday that he was asked by an "elder" to call Kara's parents, Dale and Leilani Neumann, to pray for their daughter. Leilani Neumann had written several posts on the Web site, which focuses on healing and the apocalypse.

...Eells said he also received a call from the Neumanns on Sunday as the family "followed an emergency vehicle with Kara in it. They told me that she had stopped breathing and asked if I would pray that the Lord would spare her and raise her up, which I did."

Kara's mother Leilani Neumann claims that the family doesn't belong to an organized religion. She says that they aren't fanatics and have nothing against doctors.

Really? I guess that comes down to how one defines "fanatic."

The family's connection with David Eells and Leilani Neumann's participation on the website makes me doubt her claims.

In my view, the Unleavened Bread Ministries website caters to End Times fanatics.

Read the press release from David Eells.

We at UBM would like to clear up some misconceptions from what we know, which is little. :o)

That's unusual. I don't typically see emoticons used in press releases.

Dale and Leilani Neumann from Wisconsin contacted one of our elders to ask that I (David Eells) call them to pray for their daughter. That elder got in touch with me Saturday evening and I called the Neumanns. To my knowledge this was the first time I had spoken to them other than by a few emails over the last few years and posting a testimony on our site from their ministry. It has been reported that they are "under" our ministry but they have had their own coffee house ministry for a few years in which they share the Gospel and we are glad of their work in The Lord.

They seem to be a very loving family who want to walk in the steps of Jesus, as do we. When I called they shared concern for their daughter, Kara, who had started getting sick in just the last day or so (not as is reported for the last 30 days). They asked me to pray and agree with them in prayer, basically because she appeared pale and listless (not a quote). They did not seem overly concerned because they had had healings before. This is not an unusual kind of request to us. I and our elders and prayer ministers are used to praying for the sick and have seen many healed by our Lord. We do not dictate to people about whether to go to the doctor or not but agree with their faith as the Bible says: {Matthew 18:19} Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father who is in heaven. We are not commanded in scripture to send people to the doctor but to meet their needs through prayer and faith. As anyone here in the ministry will tell you, we are not against doctors for those who have their faith there and never condemn or restrict them in any way. But we know that the best one to trust in for healing is Jesus Christ. The foundation for receiving this benefit from Him is repentance and faith in His promises. {1Peter 2:24} who his own self bare our sins in his body upon the tree, that we, having died unto sins, might live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed.

Jesus, whose faith was perfect, gave healing to anyone who had faith and still does. {Mt.8:13} And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; as thou hast believed, [so] be it done unto thee. And the servant was healed in that hour. ... {9:22} But Jesus turning and seeing her said, Daughter, be of good cheer; thy faith hath made thee whole. ... {29} Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it done unto you. {30} And their eyes were opened. I am very sorry that I have not yet manifested the faith of Jesus or his discernment when someone else has the repentance and faith needed. However, even in my weakness God's grace has healed many.

The day after I first spoke with the Neumanns they called me again from their car, very concerned as they followed an emergency vehicle with Kara in it. They told me that she had stopped breathing and asked if I would pray that The Lord would spare her and raise her up, which I did. I called on our prayer ministers and elders to pray for her too. The next thing I heard from them was that they were being investigated, which is sad since they don’t investigate the people who put their trust in doctors whose family members die by the hundreds of thousands from medical mistakes every year, according the AMA's own admission. We know that the doctors do the best they can with what they have and we do not condemn them. We would like the same consideration.

That is lame on a number of counts.

Of course, the Neumanns should be investigated. Their daughter possibly died as a result of their neglect. Our society demands that such an occurrence be investigated.

Eells notes that people die because of mistakes made by doctors. True, people do die from doctors' mistakes. Then, the doctors' actions are investigated. They often get sued for their negligence. We most certainly do condemn doctors for errors. They are held accountable. Doctors aren't given a pass without a trial.

When Christians begin to put their trust in The Lord they are as babes learning to walk in a new Kingdom. Sometimes we stumble because of lack of faith or repentance in an area but hopefully we correct this and get back up. 'The righteous shall live by faith.' Those who do not know Jesus through being born of His Word think it is a terrible thing to die and it is for them. Jesus called dying 'entering into life' for those who know Him. Real life is in the Kingdom of Heaven and in the presence of our Lord and He can't wait for that. {Psalms 116:15} Precious in the sight of Jehovah is the death of his saints. A few of God's people have temporarily stepped into that realm and did not want to come back but had more work to do. We are sure Kara does not want to come back but we have asked God to send her for her parents' sake and as a testimony of His love for us.

I'm not sure I understand this: "A few of God's people have temporarily stepped into that realm and did not want to come back but had more work to do. We are sure Kara does not want to come back but we have asked God to send her for her parents' sake and as a testimony of His love for us."

What does that mean? Is Eells saying that they are praying that God bring Kara back to life on earth?

At best we are poor representatives of our Lord but we love him and seek to walk in His steps for ourselves and mankind’s sake. We expect to grow in wisdom and stature in Him and do a better job in the future. Please pray for the Neumanns who do not deserve this persecution. Please pray for us that we would better represent our Father. Please pray for America to repent and turn to the Jesus of the Bible.

Thanks for you patience and understanding.


Love from your servant in Christ,

David Eells

P.S.: We may update this as time goes by.

Again, this is a weird press release.

Most press releases don't conclude with a P.S.

I agree that the Neumanns need prayers. Their daughter is dead because they didn't get her the medical care she needed to save her life. I imagine that their suffering must be unbearable.

Eells says the Neumanns don't deserve this persecution.

Kara didn't deserve to die from a treatable illness.

Regarding his press release, I think Eells is bordering on exploiting the death of Kara Neumann to promote his ministry.

What's with calling for "America to repent and turn to the Jesus of the Bible"?

This press release is much more than getting out the facts about Eells' involvement with the Neumann family. It reveals a fanaticism.

The Death of Madeline Kara Neumann

UDPATE, April 28, 2008: Parents in diabetes case charged

The parents of an 11-year-old girl who died of complications from untreated diabetes last month have both been charged with second-degree reckless homicide, according to Marathon County District Attorney Jill Falstad.

...In a statement released at a 1 p.m. news conference, Falstad said the parents' actions meet the standard of the charges.

"Second-degree reckless homicide has two elements," Falstad said. "The first element is that the defendant caused the death of another. The second element is that the defendant caused the death by criminally reckless conduct.

"In this case, that conduct was the failure to seek medical intervention. The failure to seek medical intervention created unreasonable and substantial risk of death or great bodily harm to Kara and the Neumanns were aware of the risk."

_______________


I'll start with the bottom line: Eleven-year-old Madeline Kara Neumann did not have to die. She would not have died if she had received proper medical care.

Kara's parents are responsible for her death.

I'm sure that they are grieving the loss of their beloved daughter and my heart goes out to them, but they need to be held accountable for what they DIDN'T do.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Children don't often die like this in the United States.

But on Sunday in the Town of Weston, near Wausau, 11-year-old Madeline Kara Neumann died of diabetic ketoacidosis, a treatable though serious condition of type 1 diabetes in which acid builds up in the blood.

Neumann's parents said they didn't know she had diabetes. They didn't take her to a doctor. They prayed for healing.

The common course of medical treatment for the disease involves injections of insulin and intravenous fluids, said Omar Ali, assistant professor of pediatric endocrinology at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Wauwatosa.

"A fatal outcome would be unusual these days in the United States," Ali said.

The death of the girl has shocked the community and raised profound moral and legal questions over when medicine should trump faith, especially when the life of a child is at stake.

There is no indication authorities knew of the girl's dire medical condition before her death. Local police are investigating the case and have said they could forward their results to the Marathon County district attorney's office. The Marathon County Department of Social Services has also launched an investigation.

Authorities said Wednesday that the Neumanns' three other children - ages 13, 14 and 17 - were being interviewed by Social Services and law enforcement and were being checked by a physician.

"The reaction is sadness, and I think a little bit (of) amazement," said Dean Zuleger, administrator for the Village of Weston. "I haven't seen a lot of what I would see to be knee-jerk judgment. There is a general sense of grief and sadness. Because I know the family a bit there is a great deal of concern for their well-being."

Zuleger said the girl's parents, Dale and Leilani Neumann, are well-known in the community. They moved there from California two years ago and run a popular coffee shop.

...[Everest Metro Police Chief Dan] Vergin said the death of the girl brings up difficult issues.

"At what point do religious beliefs take over for medical help? And the flip of the coin is at what point are the parents responsible for the health and welfare of their children," he said. "These people truly believed their prayer and faith would heal their daughter. They have no question about that."

Police and courts have grappled with such issues for decades.

Norman Fost, professor of bioethics and pediatrics at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison, said the First Amendment to the Constitution gives citizens the right to practice religion.

"A Jehovah's Witness can refuse life-saving blood transfusion based on their religious belief," he said. "They're protected. But they can't refuse it for their child . . . the First Amendment extends to their own behavior but not their children's."

Under Wisconsin statutes, parents can't be accused of abuse or neglect if the sole reason for the injury is that they relied on prayer, Fost said. But Robyn S. Shapiro, an attorney who is professor of bioethics and director of the Bioethics Center at the Medical College of Wisconsin, said abuse or neglect can include "failure to appropriately respond or supply medical care to your kid."

According to the Associated Press:

[Kara] had probably been ill for about a month, suffering symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, excessive thirst, loss of appetite and weakness, the chief said Wednesday, noting that he expects to complete the investigation by Friday and forward the results to the district attorney.

The girl's mother, Leilani Neumann, said the family believes in the Bible and that healing comes from God, but she said they do not belong to an organized religion or faith, are not fanatics and have nothing against doctors.

She insisted her youngest child, a wiry girl known to wear her straight brown hair in a ponytail, was in good health until recently.

"We just noticed a tiredness within the past two weeks," she said Wednesday. "And then just the day before and that day (she died), it suddenly just went to a more serious situation. We stayed fast in prayer then. We believed that she would recover. We saw signs that to us, it looked like she was recovering."

The mother admits that Kara's condition became a "more serious situation."

At that point, the parents should have sought medical care for their daughter.

Read an AP interview with Kara's parents, Dale and Leilani Neumann.

If the family has "nothing against doctors," then why wouldn't they get their little girl to a doctor when the situation became "serious"?

I believe that one should have the right to worship according to the dictates of one's conscience, but there should be limits.

One such limit is when the practice of religious beliefs impacts the LIFE of a child.

I believe that the parents displayed a degree of neglect that is morally wrong.

In my view, it should be criminal.

An 11-year-old child is dependent and in need of protection.

Kara's parents failed to provide adequate care for her.

The moment the parents noticed that the situation had become "serious," it wasn't time for them to stop praying.

It was time to intensify their prayers, and get their Kara to a doctor.
__________________

Audio of 911 calls

WAUSAU, Wis. (AP) -- The frantic 911 call to the Marathon County Sheriff's Department from the home of an 11-year-old Weston girl who died from untreated diabetes was made by friends of the girl's parents, authorities said Thursday.

The callers hadn't previously been identified.

Randall and Althea Wormgoor each spoke to a dispatcher as chaos and cries could be heard in the background at Dale and Leilani Neumann's home in rural Weston on Sunday afternoon, said Capt. Scott Sleeter of the Everest Metro Police Department in Weston.

Madeline Neumann died Sunday from an undiagnosed but treatable form of diabetes as her parents prayed for her to get better. Her mother, Leilani Neumann, said she never expected her daughter, whom she called Kara, to die.

The family believes in the Bible, which says healing comes from God, Leilani Neumann said.

The sheriff's department released tape recordings Thursday of two calls related to the girl's medical condition.

One was from an aunt in California on the department's non-emergency line, Lt. Jason Plaza said. She reported the girl was in a coma and needed medical help because the family "believes in faith instead of doctors."

The four-minute 911 call from the Neumann's friends came in at 2:38 p.m. Sunday, after police and an ambulance had been dispatched to the home, police said.

In the 911 call, Randall Wormgoor told the dispatcher that the "girl is not breathing" before he handed the phone to Althea Wormgoor, who got details from the dispatcher about performing CPR.

The 911 call from the Neumann residence is heart-wrenching-- the panic and fear and chaos.

It's so sad that they finally did choose to seek help, too late.
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