Share Your Thoughts on Madeline Kara Neumann's Death

Share Your Thoughts on Madeline Kara Neumann's Death

Topic Author: Susan Ramsett

Posted: 4:53 PM Apr 28, 2008

Replies Posted: 47 comments

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The recent death of a lovely young girl from Weston is stirring up emotions and sparking debates all across the country. That has certainly been the case here at NewsChannel 7.

11-year old Madeline Kara Neumann died last month as a result of untreated Diabetes. According to police, her parents, Dale and Leilani Neumann, decided to pray for her recovery instead of seeking medical treatment. Now the Neumanns are facing criminal charges of second degree reckless homicide.

We'd like to know what you think.

Do you believe parents should be obligated to make certain their children have access to modern medical care? Or do you believe it's a parents' sole right to make that decision? Do you agree with the decision to file criminal charges against the Neumann's? Or should life without their daughter punishment enough?

Thanks in advance for your responses. We'll share some of your comments during our newscasts.

Post Your Comments

Posted by: Lois Location: Wausau
Kara should have been saved. I also think the parents should be punished for lying about their vacation to the court.

Posted by: Gina Location: California
My experience is that we glorify doctors way too much. After losing a 10 year old daughter to bad medicine and realizing she would still be here had I NOT allowed doctors to treat her. They killed my daughter but they are not in jail and they are still practicing medicine. I have watched many people I love die at hands of bad medicine. As far as praying? Well I can tell you this if I had to relive what I've been through, I would have chosen praying over allowing doctors to kill my child. I would still have a daughter and she'd be 21. The public believes anything fed into them by special interest groups. Doctors don't spend 12 years in school for nothing. Not everyone choses to have open heart surgery when given the decision. our government needs to back off. I'm sure these parents love their daughter and weren't wanting her to die, they just had good intentions and the outcome was bad. Two teens I know who were rushed to the hospital for the same thing died at the hospital.

Posted by: Keith Location: Earth
If these two knot heads have no money for attorneys and the tax payers are paying the bill where the h%&& are they getting money for a vacation. Charity I am sure. They let their daughter die...Talk about having the nerve. they should get plenty of time to rest up in prison. Wow.. I still say humans are the dumbest animals on the planet.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: WI
I am watching your live streaming, and Dale R. Neumann is a mad raving lunatic, and hypnotically insane. I think it is a smart ploy on the defense side to let him go on and on - see the real insanity inside him come out. Because nly an insane person would sit back and watch your own daughter die. No excuses. They let her die. Spare the other children and put them somewhere safe. Because if that's their belief, they'll let it happen again. Hurry up and put them both away, or hurry up and take the other children away. Children trust their parents will take care of them. Helpless Kara Neumann didn't get taken care of by her parents. They let her die. Simple. They let her die.

Posted by: Keith Location: EARTH
I believe both parents need to pay a consequence for allowing their daughter to die. Their belief that God would come down and heal her is quite insane. If God did anything it was to allow us to be able to save her life with medicine. I am not Christian, but would hope that someone who is would at least have some common sense. Their lack of that allowed a beautiful young girl to die. I wonder how many times she asked for help. This father and mother have taken away their daughter's life by making a very poor choice and now are costing the taxpayer's $$ that the county does not have to plea a case that has nothing to do with freedom of religion and everything to do with taking a life.

Posted by: Denise Location: USA
The parents are nuts. Dying from DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis) in the United States shouldn't be happening. I am a type 1 diabetic myself, diagnosed when I was 4 years old. My parents had the common sense to take me to the hospital when they knew something wasn't right. There are believers and there are fanatics. Madeline's parents are fanatics. They deserve an extended jail sentence and some psychiatric counseling.

Posted by: Anonymous I totally agree with the "Guilty" verdict. I strongly believe in God, and that is not the issue. The issue is a young girl died because her parents did not get her proper medically attention. Leilani should have known the difference, and I believe she did know. How can a person not know that their child needs medical attention when they knew she was diabetic. That is a horrible tradgedy. I sincerely hope she gets what she has coming to her. Her family said they are going after the D.A. and the Judge. For what? For them doing their jobs? If Leilani and Dale would have done their job their little girl would still be here. I tip my hat to the jurors and the Judge Howard and Jill Falstadt for a job well done. As for the Neumanns, I am sorry for your loss, but I am not sorry you were found guilty.

Posted by: Kerri Location: Virginia
I personally do not agree with declining to provide medical help for Madeline, however, it was NOT against the law. How many children today are diabetic due to poor diet? Should parents be charged with some form of negligence for feeding their kids too much junk? Vaccinations are OPTIONAL, so if a parent declines a certain vaccination and down the road the child contracts that disease and it proves fatal, are the parents charged with negligent homicide? This is an outrage. Why is this family being singled out while a multitude of other parents don’t use sunscreen (which could cause fatal cancer later), feed their children fast food loaded with grease (which can cause heart issues with fatal outcomes), and on and on. Where do we draw the line? Do we pass laws governing children and medical care? If so, then we can visit the issue at hand. Until then we have NO legal leg to stand on and I do not believe that this family needs to be preyed upon as they have been. This is a serious case wi

Posted by: Joanie Gerow Location: United States
I believe the Neumann's have suffered enough and should have their case dropped. How people believe should be their own right. No one has the right to condem their beliefs. My heart goes out to them. People are not perfect and no one has the right to judge except God.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Wausau
This is a complicated case. The religious and medical community does not always have you or your family’s best interest in mind. Prayer is a good counterpart to medicine but doctors tend to overmedicate and misdiagnose frequently. I don’t have a lot of faith in the medical community and maybe the Neumann’s felt the same. Parents risk their children wellbeing every day by not disciplining and maintaining boundaries for their children. The age of reason is seven; however, I have seen many children of this age and younger not accompanied by a supervising adult. Parents place play equipment close to roadways, putting their children at risk for car hits and abduction by pedophiles. Parents overmedicate to quite a child putting them at risk for future drug dependencies. Parents overfeed and under exercise because there are too busy or disinterested to interact with their children, do we prosecute for these? They all potentially lead to death by neglect? All parents need to wakeup!

Posted by: Megan Location: Seattle
Your freedom of religion ends when you start harming or killing people. Period. If this wasn't child abuse then what is? They KILLED their daughter because they were too STUPID to take her to a doctor. Why do they think 'God' put doctors on this planet?

Posted by: Kelly Location: Mosinee
Can't help but wonder if deep in the sub-conscious of especially this mother is the need to control, maybe even God. I've known people with unstable personalities who loved taking control of the very breathe of whoever they could. Who swore God gave them every thought! No one could question them. And was this dad so complacent or didn't want to rock mom's boat? God gave us brains for thought and the Holy Spirit for power to LIVE NOT DIE needlessly. At an car accident would we stop and pray and not call for help because we have faith. I would call that magical thinking.

Posted by: tammy Location: stevens point
Where did she give birth to these children? At home a hospital? They never broke anything before? I am all for religion and stuff. But when your child is truly sick, and you have other family members calling the police about it. Doesn't that raise some questions? So now with the economic problems we have. And we can't afford health insurance. We can just say that we prayed for them... Give me a break... That is a life. She had no choice. She lived by her parents beliefs. Didn't she have a choice? Government and Religion can't keep you alive in this country anymore. Poor Girl..

Posted by: Anonymous Location: rosholt
i think they should go to jail

Posted by: Derrick Location: New York, NY
Great book for all Christians to read. Lose the religion and increase the spirituality is my thoughts personally!The Doctor and the Word: Discover God's Pathway to Healing for You ... that I had not thought about as I read through the Word of God (Bible).

Posted by: Jackie Location: Merrill
I am a Christian and I believe very much that prayer does work, I pray to god about everything. I think in this case prayer did help but not alone thats why god put nurses and doctors on earth to help heal us here. But I believe shes differently in a better place and may god bless her soul and I pray that they realize they should of taken her to the doctor and prayed for her at the same time.

Posted by: Krista Location: Green Bay
As a mother of 2 and a criminal justice student I am forced to look at both sides of this "offense." I will not take either side, law or religion, but I will say this,you can not make judgement without knowing everything there is to know about this case. That is why there is an investigation on the matter. There is a very fine line between what you can do with your religion and what the law states. so dont hate me for saying this, but I am not so sure the Neumann's crossed this line into criminal behavior. I understand that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, however, try being in their position. if you were that religious, what would you do? there are many countries out there where religion is way above the law. when people from those countires immigrate to the United states, it is a hassle for law enfocement to determine if their behavior is criminal or cultural. Please, just think before you speak, and if you want others to know how you feel, make it intelligent.

Posted by: Staci Location: Wausau
Can't pay for healthcare? These people own not ONE but TWO HOUSES in the Wausau area PLUS a BUSINESS. They will have to answer to GOD someday! I do think that they should have to pray for the money for an attorney and pray for the outcome of a trial! What a waste of taxpayer dollars!

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Wisconsin
When people use religion as an excuse for child neglect and endangerment, it is no longer a religion. Children are born innocent and it is part of a parent's responsibility to protect them. I also think it is ridiculous that taxpayers' money is being used for their defense. Give me my tax money back and let them pray for their defense. They should go to prison and certainly shouldn't be allowed to put any of their other children in danger. How long will it be before another child dies because their parents' are "praying" for them, rather than seek medical help for a treatable condition? To hide neglect under the title of "religion" makes me sick and to have an innocent child die because of it needs to stop now!

Posted by: Anonymous they should lock them up for good

Posted by: Jacki Location: Wausau
I believe in the power of prayer. But why don't they pray for legal help? When your own neck is on the line it gives you a little perspective, doesn't it?

Posted by: patricia Location: medford
Child neglect is CHILD NEGLECT!!!! I hope they go to prison

Posted by: Gordy Sometimes you need to step out of bibleland and into the real world. Ignorance was the weapon.

Posted by: Curt Location: Wisconsin
As a father of three, I hurt inside for what has happened. As a parent, I find it hard to believe that they did this on purpose and without remorse. As a Christian, I know she is in a better place with GOD, and knowing GOD you should also know that we are not to judge others, less ye be judged. We have our Earthly court systems, but it all comes down to when you die, and you have to face YOUR GOD and be judged then. All any of us should do right now is not judge, but pray for the family and friends of the loved one who is now gone. We have ALL done something wrong in our lives. Maybe not as bad as what has happened, but to judge someone for doing something when we are ALL sinfull in some degree, is just being a lesser of a sinner? This is sad time with ALL that is going on in this messed up world. Remember, our day is coming too, and we will be judged, and it will be up to only ONE jury member to decide our fate.... where does your faith lie? Remember,JUDGE NOT LESS YE BE JUDGED! Peace

Posted by: Elly Location: Wausau
I think the Neumanns should PRAY to their GOD for the money to pay for their defense! I sure don't want to pay for their stupidity! Where does Judge Howard get off saying we, the taxpayers have to pay for their defense? I just lost a lot of respect for Judge Howard along with the Neumanns! My son, who served 14 months in the worst areas of Iraq said there were families in Iraq who he said risked their lives running up to the humvees and our soldiers begging for medical help for their children. Even the citizens of Iraq had more sense than these dumb parents when it came to getting health care for their children! Just running up to a humvee could get you shot and these parents risked their lives for their childrens'! This is straight out child neglect and abuse. I don't care if they have to resort to living in a box under a bridge to pay for their defense! They can pray for mild weather under a bridge in a box for all I care! Poor little angel deserved better! Shame on you!

Posted by: Mary Location: Plover
What the Neumann's did to their daughter is just absolutely wrong! This was a very treatable condition that she had, not a rare condition that no one ever heard about. As for the comment being posted about not being able to afford healthcare, did anyone see their house on the news? Plus they own their own business. I do not believe it's a matter of not affording healthcare. Yes, everyone is entitled to their religious beliefs, however, this was neglect. And as for any family or friends, where were they? Step in and advise help for their daughter. The Neumann's are not God and cannot walk on water. There comes a time when help (medical in this case) is necessary. They should be punished. If I didn't feed or water my animals and just stood over them, I'd be in jail. Both ways, it's a living thing. And yes, why did she wear glasses in the courtroom?

Posted by: Shannon Location: Wausau
Many people have commented there needs to be a line drawn in society between religion and law, I agree. However, I think Kara Neumann's parents deserve punishment to the fullest. How could anyone be so heartless as to sit there and watch as your daughter whom you "love" so much is lying there helplessly dying! Diabetes does not instantly kill you, she was suffering, her parents may have been praying, but obviously as she was getting sicker and sicker, something else was needed. Something called Medical Intervention! Her parents denied her the right to seek medical attention, they MURDERED their 11 year old daughter. Tell me why anyone thinks they deserve justice, they lost their daughter due to their own lack of beliefs. I think they should be forced to endure the kind of pain she was going through as her parents KILLED her. Kara deserves justice, and letting the parents get away with a slap on the wrist is not justice for murdering a 11 year old Kara! God created doctors, didnt he?

Posted by: Gail Location: Wausau
As to the questions you have asked, parents have the right to refuse medical treatment due to religious beliefs. They are not obligated to access modern medical care. It is a parents sole right to decide. They are not criminals, they are christians. Life without their daugther is punishment. But remember these are faithful christian people who in everything, do all for the glory of Jesus Christ. Not many of us can say that!

Posted by: Gail Location: Wausau
While a death of a child is a horrible thing, we must trust in our God to be there for us. I have prayed for people and they recovered. I have seen miracle healings. I have also prayed and God didn't heal. As a christian who believes in the power of pray, I will stand behind the Neumann's decision. I'm not saying I would do the same thing as they did but I will back them for their strong belief in Jesus Christ. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomarrow. He is alive and answers as He sees right. Not my will but yours LORD. A true Christian who is putting the Word of God into action through prayer, will also see that the Neumanns truly believed God would heal Kara, raise her from the dead, or take her home (to heaven). What great faith they have. Jesus Christ is their comfort and will see them through!

Posted by: Therese Location: Tripoli
The parents made a mistake and will have to live with it for the rest of their lives. It is very sad. Another thing that is sad is that people just eat this stuff up. That makes me really sick. Pray for the parents and for the little girl and her family and then let it go and get on with your own lives. Media has a way of turning things into a circus and people use this sort of stuff as entertainment. I hope no one will ever have to feel how the parents feel for the aweful "MISTAKE" they made. Yes a life is gone and no amount of media or this kind of stuff will ever bring her back. Life is too short too dwell on negative things like this in life- it starts to consume you. Pray for them, give your condolences and let it go and move on with your own lives. God Bless.

Posted by: JoAnn Location: Wausau
Even though I do not believe they did the appropriate thing by not seeking medical attention, my heart can't help but to go out to that family. I am 100% positive that these parents did not want their daughter to die and sincerely believed that it would never come to that. Unfortunately, they were wrong, very very very wrong. I really can't make myself believe that their daughter (may she rest in peace) would want her parents to be prosecuted OR persecuted.

Posted by: Dona Location: Marshfield
Diabetes is a very treatable disease, there is no reason a child should die from this disease. My daughter has had diabetes since she was 5 years old she is now 13. You are very overwhelmed by all you need to learn, but you do to keep your child healthy.We also pray everyday not only that she stay healthly, but that they find a cure for juvenile dibetes. Thank God for Dr. Zador and the staff at Marshfield pediatric diabetes clinc who are the most wonderful people to help childern with diabetes. There is no excuse for these parents not seeking medical attention for their daughter what awaste of a precious life. The parents should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Posted by: susan Location: weston
This is a very simple case, it is child abuse, neglect. Why is it that the parents of this young girl and the meth mother who's baby died will recieve nothing.Oh yes the loss of their child. Each case they had the chance and choice, for the child to live a healthy life. So if you abuse your child that leads to their death that is ok, as long as they die. But don't you dare mistreat a animal or you will recieve days in jail for it, maybe even prison. And why did the mother wear glasses into the court wednesday.Does she have bad eye sight,and someone issued her a prescripion for glasses or she is hiding her face? why, she felt she was above god in treating her daughter. My heart goes out to the young girls siblings who watched their sister die. How can you now force the parents to take the other siblings to a doctor, freedom of religion,can't they fight that too.

Posted by: Nicole Location: Wisconsin
I really don't understand how as a parent you can just sit there and watch your child suffer. To me that is child abuse, whether you are praying for her or not. I as a parent of three would NEVER in a millions years sit and watch my child die when there is something that I could have done. They deserve to have the book handed to them and they deserve to sit and SUFFER in prison just as they sat and watched their sweet little girl SUFFER. I believe in God and I know that he knows that somethings are out of his hands. Like they say some of the best things in life are God's unanwsered prayers. Humm, makes me wonder why he didn't answer theirs.

Posted by: Fantasia Location: STEVENS POINT
Religous or not its still not right thagt they did not seek medical help from a professial who knows how to treat deaises.these people are very sick, they should be inprisoned!

Posted by: Kelly Location: Wiscoinsin
I feel that's really sad that these parents could do that. I feel that everyone has a right to religous freedom but at some point you have to draw the line. I just couldn't sit there and watch my child suffer.

Posted by: Tammy Location: Wausau
How is it fair that this family is being charged for the death of their daughter, when there was a case involving the mother who used meth & 2 of her babies died because her drug use. She now has custody of her other children which is not right. She should be in prison herself. The Neumann's may go to prison because of their beliefs? NOT right @ all! GOD will help the Neumann's through this! GOD BLESS this family!

Posted by: KRIS As parents, your first and most important job in life is to take care of and guide your children to the best of your abilities. This means giving them the best chance at life through education, ethics, and of course health care. If a child feels ill, you keep them home from school. If they don't feel better after that, common sense would be to seek the advice of a medical professional. We raise our kids to be good christians and have a healthy belief in the power of God and the power of prayer. But when things are out of God's hands ( and sometimes they are), the only thing left to do is to rely on someone with more knowledge than ourselves. We trust and believe and have faith in God, why not give someone else a shot at it---doctors. I truely believe that this tragedy could have been avoided if the parents of this poor little girl would have taken another step and considered other options. I hope that others will see this as an example and that it could be avoided next time.

Posted by: Joe Location: Phillips
Having the freedom of religion is a privilege and practicing it is the same. But to take that privilege and use it against your own child. God gave us the ability to help others. That is why we have doctors. This poor little girl had to suffer and finally pay the price for her parents beliefs. One visit. That is all she needed to still be here today with us. Dale and Leilani, if you read this I hope you get the maximum sentence and are never able to hurt another one of your children again. Pray on that.

Posted by: Michelle I know we have the right to choose our religion, but when it comes to health care like diabetes all the praying in the world is not going to heal, it has to be controlled medically. If she was treated in a timely manner she would have survived. I know health care is not cheap, but when it comes to your children costs doesn't matter, if they need medical care you can't leave them without, especially when it comes to a choice of life or death. We make the medical decisions for our children since they can't. It is our responsibility.

Posted by: Pat Location: Marshfield
I feel that they will grieve the loss of their daughter, and the thoughts of what 'could have' and 'should have' been done will not bring her back. We should not judge them because of their beliefs, there is only 1 true person that does that at the end of time. I just done understand that if so many people knew what was going on, why didn't they step in and do something about the situation, and call 911, EMT's, law enforcement, etc. If there are are certain beliefs the family has, maybe we should not be so fast to cast that first stone. When have we all done something wrong, and then covered it up. Everyone deserves a second chance, and if these parents really wanted there daughter dead, they could have thought of faster ways. They still have beatting hearts which are suffering enough for the loss of their lovely child. Let us comfort and not judge. God Bless them.

Posted by: Carol As a parent and a grandparent it is hard for me to understand why the parents did not seek medical attention for their daughter. I understand that the parents believe deeply in their faith but do they not realize that God gave all of us special talents and that by the grace of God doctors have special talents to help the sick. Why did they not use one of God's gifts to us?

Posted by: Bill Location: Wausau
As a parent you accept the awesome responsibility of protecting and guiding your children to the best of your abilities until they become adults and can make their own decisions. The Neumans chose to grossly neglect these responsibilities and now will subject to the penalties of law that help protect our children.

Posted by: Kyra Location: Conover, WI
With the way healthcare options are these days I don't blame the Neumann family for not seeking medical attention. As Americans we can't afford anything these days. Is it really the parent's that are at fault and should get the punishment or is it our government for their lack in doing their job and providing for the and their needs. Going into a hospital is one of the riskiest things to do. People die just by mistakes made by doctors and infections from hostpitals. These parents made a choice that it wasn't worth making that risk. Maybe it was the wrong choice, but it was their choice. If America gives the freedom of religion then we have to respect those decisions made based from their personal choices. The role of parents are losing their meaning these days due to the government getting involved and being in control of making our personal choices for us. What will be next?

Posted by: Tom Location: Green Bay
I just think it was very poor judgement on the parents part. Either one could have requested help for their daughter before it was too late. It's always easy to say what should have been done after the fact but these parents MUST be held accountable for their actions. If they would have requested medical help, their daughter most likely would still be alive. Let this case be a lesson to others, you have a DAILY responsibility to your children to see that they are kept out of harm's way. Rest in peace Madeline.

Posted by: Lorena Location: Colby
Madeline's parents have been terribly misguided by their faith. The gift of laying on of hands was a temperal gift, the purpose of which was to convert unbeleivers. I have had friends who have drifted toward this belief. They all have embraced the belief in temperal gifts, not to glorify God, which was God's purpose, but to glorify themselves. Madeline's parents weren't using their child's illness toward worship, but rather as a proof of their faith, toward themselves and toward others in their church. If Madeline had recovered they all would have been pointing fingers at us all saying "see what our faith has done." But God also tells us not to test him. We are expected to have more respect for Him, they did not. The Nuemanns are just as guilty of child abuse as anyone else who has missused a child for their own gain. Living without their daughter is not punishment enough, no more than any other person who kills a family member is already punished. Our laws are in place for a reason.

Posted by: Jo Location: Medford
I feel that there is certain extend of letting your religion (praying) get in the way of treatment but when she was in the coma that would have been way to much for me as a parent not to take her for medical treatment. Yes they will have to live with the fact that there daughter is never hear but there should be some justice for her having to suffer the way she did. I just hope that some unknown person that feels the same way will have a change in the matter and get there child help instead of letting it get this far. Thank you and GOD BLESS!