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NEW INFO: 11-Year-Old Girl Died of Untreated Diabetic Condition Save Email Print
Posted: 6:21 AM Mar 25, 2008
Last Updated: 3:29 PM Apr 29, 2008
Reporter: Mikel Lauber
Email Address: mlauber@wsaw.com


A | A | A

The Marathon County Medical Examiner says untreated diabetes is the cause of the death of 11-year-old Madeline Neumann of Weston.

He says Madeline Neumann had diabetic ketoacidosis, which is a condition caused by a lack of insulin, for approximately 30 days.

Click here to learn more about diabetic ketoacidosis.

The Everest Metro Police Department says Madeline's parents didn't call for medical help because they believed their faith and prayers could save her. "Our early investigation revealed she didn't receive any medical treatment”, said Everest Metro Police Chief Dan Vergin. “Her parents decided they would pray over her and that their faith would heal her."

"I don't know how long she had been bedridden but likely there would have been signs for six months”, said Everest Metro Police Chief Dan Vergin. “She would have been symptomatic for at least a month."

Police say they found out about Madeline’s critical condition from a relative in California, who the Neumann family had contacted for more prayers. Police say by the time they arrived at the home, Madeline had passed away. "My understanding is the mother still believed because of their faith, that she could be revived”, said Vergin. “That’s even after she passed away.”

The family does not attend an organized church or religion, according to Vergin, but is part of a Bible study group of a few people. He says Madeline had been a student in D.C. Everest School District, but was being home schooled this semester.

Vergin says they're still just beginning to determine if the course of action the parents took was reasonable, or if more could have been done to save their daughter. “Our job is to determine the facts and send them to the District Attorney”, said Vergin. “If there were criminal charges, it would likely be negligent homicide, but we're far from that point yet."

Vergin says the Neumann family has three other children, ages 14 through 17. He says Social Services is looking into whether those children are safe.

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Posted by: Kylee Zalewski Location: Antigo WI on May 2, 2008 at 09:28 AM
"God helps those who help themselves" is probably the most often quoted phrase that is not found in the Bible. This is actually a quote from Ben Franklin and it appeared in Poor Richard's Almanac in 1757. In fact the Bible teaches the opposite. God helps the helpless! Isaiah 25:4 declares, "For You have been a defense for the helpless, a defense for the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat..." Romans 5:6 tells us, "For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly."

Posted by: Jason Location: Minnesota on Apr 30, 2008 at 06:08 PM
Have these people ever heard or read their bibles. God doesn’t help those that don’t help themselves. I know that and I'm not religious, and don’t tell me the bible doesn’t say this. When David killed Goliath he acted for himself by faith in God. He didn’t just stand there like a stump and let God do everything. Holy people never cease to amaze me on how truly stupid and incompetent they can be. I think they should follow the bible on this one; eye for an eye. Give them the chair.

Posted by: Mike Location: Germantown on Apr 3, 2008 at 06:30 PM
What kind of religion would let an innocent child needlessly suffer and die? Answer-The Church of Satan.

Posted by: issac Location: 97067 on Mar 31, 2008 at 07:06 PM
if they get charged with man sloter.that sucks.they stude up for wut they beleeved in.this is bole cdrap wut peopole are saying about the pernts.

Posted by: Jack clapten Location: anywhere on Mar 31, 2008 at 12:08 PM
i feel that the parents shouldnt have any children in the first place. i think that they should be put through the same treatment that they gave her daughter.

Posted by: amanda Location: florida on Mar 29, 2008 at 07:29 PM
i think the what the parents did was completely stupid. everyone should have more sense that if there child has been sick for a month or more that theres probably a problem. that little girl laid in bed for weeks just puking her guts out while her family just sat back and watched. i understand the rigths of religion but if they say they dont believe in doctors and that prayers will cure the child thats fine. but i want to see the book and whatever else of where it says that. this is man slaughter and if they dont take the children out of that home and put the parents behind bars. then i guess were just going to have to wait untill another one of there kids gets sick and then they die. then MAYBE the court will do something!

Posted by: Allana Location: NJ on Mar 27, 2008 at 03:42 PM
The ignorance and idiocy of people really are amazing. I believe in God and his power of healing but i would think that that would be why he made Doctors. Putting an innocent child through that kind of ordeal is nothing short of barbaric. Sugar coating it with "FREEDOM OF RELIGION" or whatever, this is still MURDER. An innocent CHILD died!

Posted by: Jessi Location: Wausau on Mar 27, 2008 at 02:14 PM
The power of prayer works if you open your eyes to the things that are given to you. Medical treatment is a gift that is given to all of us, and it was something that was right there, and not accepted. Prayer only works if you put something into it also. Making a poor child suffer shows that these people were blinded by what kinds of gifts were given to them from the beginning.

Posted by: John Location: Stevens Point on Mar 27, 2008 at 12:42 PM
Another example of how the plague of religion has infected the minds of the ignorant. If her parents believed magical pixie dust was going to save their daughter, would we even question their actions as reasonable?

Posted by: Alexis Location: Weston on Mar 27, 2008 at 12:05 PM
After reading what Leilani wrote about helping others be filled with the holy spirit and the laying on of hands dated 2/28/08 I am even more outraged. No doubt her daughter was already experiencing symptoms and here she is trying to convert strangers at her shop. Why wasent her focus on her family. Her other children are no doubt in danger as well as the people she comes in contact with in the community. She has sacrificed her little girl to her God. Are we going to allow human sacrifice in our community? She should be punished so other religious fanatics will think twice before sacrificing thier children or encouraging others to act this way.

Posted by: Amy Location: Wausau on Mar 27, 2008 at 11:38 AM
I am the mother of two and CANNOT imagine watching my children or any other person for that matter suffer and not do anything but pray! Prayer and faith are wonderful things, but God also gave us numerous resources to put our faith in. These parents should have taken their daughter to the MD. Why did they decide to call 911 when she stopped breathing - wasn't that alittle to late? They should have called much sooner - she would still be alive if they had. Also, were there other adults aware of this girl being sick? If so, I feel these people also turned their eyes and decided to do nothing but watch a small child suffer and die. Justice needs to be served and all involved need to be punished. Religious belief or not - this went to far and a small girl is now dead! If I physically abused my children because it was is 'religious belief' I can bet my kids are going to be removed from my home and I would be punished! Is this situation any different?

Posted by: Tom Location: Nashville on Mar 27, 2008 at 09:29 AM
"..if the course of action the parents took was reasonable.." Are they serious? There isn't a single part of denying a child much needed health care and then expecting God to heal to be reasonable. Yet another case of unbelievable ignorance. "Christian" doctors? How about the best doctors available. Why does it matter if they are christian or not? You do whatever it takes to protect your children. Period. Countless atrocities have been committed over thousands of years in God's name. And the tragic part is that most, if not all, take verses from the bible completely out of context to defend their actions. Methinks that has become an international "christian" pastime. Unfortunately, in that game, only the innocent truly suffer. The ignorant sit on the sidelines, with blank stares, and frantically try to find more verses to explain why they're losing.

Posted by: Brianna Location: weston on Mar 26, 2008 at 08:57 PM
She was a great friend! I dont know how her parents could of done this to her! They should get all charges they can! You will always be in my thoughts and MAY PEACE BE WITH YOU! GOD BLESS YOU MADELINE!

Posted by: Bobbie Location: weston on Mar 26, 2008 at 08:54 PM
She was a very great person! She went to my school. and was great friends with me and a bunch of my friends. It is very heartbreaking to hear that she had to die like that. I wish her parents would of did something about her sickness. How could real parents do this to their child/children? They should get charged for what they did to her. It was wrong,and I think they should get their other kids taken away. If they did it to one kid who knows what they are going to do to the other kids. If their other kids get sick what are they going to do just pray So they can die to!? its so rediculios. Religon doesnt always mean everything. When i heard that she died it brought tears to my eyes. I cried all night. She was the most greatest friend you could ever ask for. Rest in peace Madeline. May the lord be with you. GOD BLESS YOU FOREVER!

Posted by: Mike Location: Germantown on Mar 26, 2008 at 08:32 PM
If your religious beliefs include letting your own child suffer and die for no reason other than religious beliefs, then you belong in a straight jacket in an insane asylum!

Posted by: Amelia Location: Nekoosa on Mar 26, 2008 at 05:57 PM
He gives us the knowledge to help or cure thru medicine. If we do nothing, then we commit murder. Did no one else know of this condition and how she was worsening? Did no one else care that she was dying? Where was child wefare? Madeline's parents deserve to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Their other children need to be taken away and placed where they will be safe. Just as those children that are abducted are "everyone's children", so are those like Madeline. How many more are out there?

Posted by: Tammy Location: Wausau on Mar 26, 2008 at 05:37 PM
This is very tragic that Madeline had to suffer like she had to. I do know this family & they are quite religous, however I believe that her parents should've "ACCEPTED" the help from a professional, because there are "CHRISTAIN" doctors out to help us. I know in my heart that Madeline is no longer suffering for she is with our LORD! Leilani & Dale should get what the law does require for this, but remember they need to live with this memory of their daughter is no longer with us here on earth. May you rest in peace Madeline, GOD BLESS you! May the LORD protect your sister & brother! Matt. 7:1 "Judge not least ye be judged".

Posted by: Todd Location: Wausau on Mar 26, 2008 at 05:11 PM
I do not understand how a parent or parents could let a beautiful child die because they beleive in faith miricales. Religion is great but should not be counted on to save a childs life in a case like this ! How sad. I hope the parents are punished which is not enough.

Posted by: Emily Location: Antigo on Mar 26, 2008 at 04:11 PM
I heard this story and felt my heart break. It is our duty as parents to love and protect our children, and make sure they have the best care possible. What kind of parent does not seek MEDICAL ATTENTION when clearly there is something wrong and is not getting better? This little girl depended on her mother and father to take care of her, and instead let her die. Her parents should recieve severe punishment for their neglect, and their other 2 children taken away.

Posted by: Amy Location: Sussex on Mar 26, 2008 at 01:34 PM
As a parent of a 12 year old Diabetic child,living with this disease for over 7 years,I find this story horrific. I hope that there will be justice for Madeline and that these parents will pay dearly for the life they took. As for questioning the safety of the other children in their home, they are undoubtedly in danger. I can imagine what this little girl endured while her parents "prayed". I pray everyday for a cure for diabetes but while I wait, I use insulin to keep my daughter alive.You can't just pray for the best. Not when your child's life is at risk.

Posted by: Kris Location: Mosinee on Mar 26, 2008 at 12:47 PM
This child must have suffered greatly. I am outraged that she died so needlessly. Am amazed that the parents thought she would be cured by a supernatural entity - what were they expecting, a bolt of lightning perhaps ?. Their behaviour is totally unacceptable.

Posted by: James Location: Mosinee on Mar 26, 2008 at 12:24 PM
In the case of Madeline, I think that those parents should get charges with neglegent homicide.That little girl went through alot of symptoms that are both painful and torturous to the body.How can parents stand by and watch their child suffer like that? Her little body was hurting, she had an unquenchable thirst and hunger and then she shut down. Her body would only be able to lay there due to extreme fatigue and pain. Shame on those parents!

Posted by: Brandi Location: Wausau on Mar 26, 2008 at 10:25 AM
Madeline will always be in my thoughts. her story has touched me.

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