Ashley and Brent Bredhold, Evansville, Indiana parents charged with failing to provide adequate treatment of their 12 year old daughter, Alice Bredhold after her family were advised the girl was suffering from diabetes. The girl eventually died after ongoing lack of treatment and complications.
An Indiana mother and father face homicide charges following the death of their 12 year old daughter, who prosecutors allege the parents ignored treating following her being diagnosed with having diabetes.
Alice Ruby Bredhold, 12, died on July 4.
On Aug. 7, Ashley Marie Bredhold and Brent Michael Bredhold, both 38, of Evansville, were arrested and booked on a charge of neglect of a dependent causing death, according to jail records maintained by the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office.
12 year old reported to have high blood-sugar levels 34 times since January
Alice was found dead on her bedroom floor at the family’s Evansville residence according to WFIE.
An ensuing investigation determined the girl had diabetes but that her parents were not helping her maintain the lifelong disease.
The state’s Department of Child Services had already been involved because the 12 year old had consistent high blood sugar levels when Alice was at school. DCS had reached out to the girl’s parents after Alice frequently testing high.
Alice allegedly came to school with a high blood-sugar level 34 times since January, per investigators, the Evansville Courier & Press reported.
Not immediately clear is how long and consistency the child welfare agency engaged with the family who seemingly failed to provide adequate care, if at all.
According to the Vanderburgh County Coroner, Alice died from diabetic ketosis — a serious condition which, according to the Mayo Clinic, will manifest numerous telltale symptoms.
Failed by her parents
An autopsy determined Alice’s liver was more than twice the size of an adult woman’s and her blood sugar was found to be between four to eight times the average for a person her age, the Evansville Courier & Press reported.
The child’s death was determined to be the result of complications from untreated diabetes.
Following the 12 year old’s death, authorities removed two other children from the Bredhold residence. At the time, the house was allegedly full of garbage and insects, police said.
Alice attended Evans Elementary School where she played cello in the school’s orchestra. The 12 year old according to an obituary was a member of a local book club and a youth team dedicated to the scientific exploration of rocks, fossils, and minerals.
‘Alice was naturally artistic and creative, and enjoyed doing crafts and drawing,’ her obituary reads. ‘She loved being with her family and spending time with friends. Alice will be remembered for her outgoing, energetic, and friendly spirit. She will be deeply missed.’
After a nearly monthlong investigation, police arrested the girl’s parents on warrants on Wednesday afternoon.
Ashley and Brent Bredhold remain detained on $100,000 bond in the Vanderburgh County Jail.
