Dale and Leilani Neumann, the parents who prayed over their 11 year old daughter while she died from untreated diabetes, will be charged with second-degree reckless homicide. This ends the speculation on how the tragic and easily prevented death would be handled. Second-degree reckless homicide carries a maximum sentence of 25 years though I would expect that even if convicted the sentence will be reduced.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out but I made my feelings clear earlier this month when I stated that these parents are as much responsible for their daughter’s death as the woman who stabbed her “possessed child”. Regardless of the intent, both little girls are dead due to the actions of their parents.
I wrote this morning about the hidden dangers of homeopathy. Faith based healing is another issue that can sound harmless on the surface yet really results in great damage. The death of Madeline Neumann is hardly unique. There are many other children who have died in the recent years due to their parents’ religion.
On March 2nd Ava Worthington, a 15 month old infant, died of an easily treated infection. Her parents have also been charged with manslaughter and criminal mistreatment. Ava and Madeline are only two of the most recent deaths caused by fundamentalist beliefs.
While I would never support any restrictions on freedom of/from religion it is important that we hold those who allow the deaths of children accountable. It is good that Madeline’s parents are facing charges. Hopefully this case will cause others to think twice before they allow their children to die.
William ~ WWJV4.com
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2008-04-30 12:04:53
Contrast this to the apparently accidental death of a toddler where the mother left the child in the car in the hot weather. Several factors lead most people to believe that the woman simply forgot the child was in the back seat, from an unusual routine that day to having several extra things come up to do. In this absolutely horrible accident, the mother is being put on trial for this (I forget the charges) - likely something like reckless endangerment and manslaughter. She will receive a trial so I’m hoping she’ll get off. The family has gone through hell already and this prosecution serves no one. Very sad.
This has nothing to do with the case above except this truly was accidental. But, in our, in my view overly litigious society, both have been charged. I’m hoping religious beliefs won’t allow the first bunch to get off (what a ridiculous idea) and that a lack of religious involvement won’t allow the second case to be weakened.
2008-04-30 16:50:55
I don’t know the specifics of the case your referring to but there is no real comparison. There is a real difference between causing the death of your child through willful action (or inaction) and negligence. That difference is reflected in our criminal code and should both cases go to court the punishment if found guilty should be proportionate. I agree with you that the presence or absence of religion should play no part in the prosecution of the crimes.