US woman charged with murder for denying diabetic child medical careMay 19, 2009PRAYER, not medicine, would heal their sick daughter.
Even when she had slipped into a coma, their faith did not waver, and they continued praying over her.
But what she needed wasn't just prayers, but medical attention.
Her parents did not give her that.
And now, they stand trial for her death which prosecutors said was unnecessary.
In March last year, Madeline Neumann, 11, died from undiagnosed diabetes.
The Associated Press reported that her mother, Leilani Neumann, 41, had said her family believes in the Bible, which says healing comes from God, and she never expected her daughter to die.
She has been charged with second-degree reckless homicide in her daughter's death.
The charge carries a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison.
According to the criminal complaint, Madeline's father considered the girl's illness 'a test of faith' and her mother never considered taking the girl to the doctor because she thought her daughter was under a 'spiritual attack'.
The family does not belong to an organised religion or faith. They have three other children.
During opening statements, assistant district attorney LaMont Jacobson told the jury this case wasn't about religious freedom or religious rights.
He said: 'This case is about Madeline Neumann's needless suffering and death.'
Mr Jacobson recounted a chronology of events leading up to Madeline's death.
She was called Kara by her parents.
He said: 'Kara was left to lay on a couch overnight in a coma and nothing was done.'
Mr Jacobson described how Madeline was lying on the floor, neither talking nor eating.
By nightfall on the eve of her death, Madeline was 'completely helpless' and her mother commented to a friend, 'she sensed the spirit or Angel of Death present at her home', Mr Jacobson said.
An autopsy showed that Madeline died from diabetes that left her with too little insulin in her body. Insulin regulates the sugar level in the blood.
She likely had some symptoms of the disease for several weeks and months, court records said.
The girl was finally taken to a hospital after other family members, including one in California, called 911 to seek emergency help, but it was too late.
The parents told investigators Madeline had not been to a doctor since she was 3.
BreakdownNeumann's case is believed to be the first of its kind in Wisconsin involving faith healing in which someone died and another person was charged with a homicide.
She apparently suffered a breakdown as the events leading to her daughter's death were described in court on Saturday.
About 20 minutes into the prosecution's opening statement, she put her head in her arms on the table.
While she was being examined by paramedics, her lawyer, Mr Gene Linehan, told the judge that she was suffering a total physical and emotional breakdown.
About 30 minutes later, she was brought back to the courtroom in a wheelchair. Her lawyer said she was going to be okay.
The judge was expected to question her to see whether she'd be fit to continue.
Mr Linehan has said his client is expected to testify in her own defence.
Her husband, Dale Neumann, is also charged with second-degree reckless homicide.
Source:
http://tnp.sg/news/story/0,4136,2024...70340,00.html?--Quote a msg from a member:
They are steeped too deep in their dogma that they failed to realize that the kingdom of heaven lies not here, but only in their faith. This world is real and is not the same kingdom they have fervently wished for.
Wake up people.-- (This is something I cant agree more with)--Quote a msg from a member below:
Even the Church acknowledges the study of medicine to certain extents
--God only help those who help themselves. Once my friend told me this thing abt cheap grace and I kind of believe tt lotsa pple abuse it. I have seen so many shallow faith believer, God dont forgive those who chose to abandon themselves and indulge in making mistakes in their life. Tell me how many pple lives by good principal and good moral values of life. It is good to have encouraging faith tt teaches you to be morally upright. Everything is good when you dont over do it. I found this piece of news on forum and thought this really a good piece of wake news for everyone. If praying works, we dont need doctors.
