Dale and Leilani Neumann Sentenced: 6 Months

Dale and Leilani Neumann were sentenced yesterday in the death of their daughter, Madeline Kara Neumann.

They watched and did nothing as their 11-year-old girl died from untreated diabetes. They claimed they thought God would heal her and medical care was unnecessary. The parents were focused on their relationships with God. They believed that their faith was being tested through Kara's condition. Kara's well-being was not their priority.

As a result of their selfishness and negligence, Kara died.

For this, Dale and Leilani Neumann must spend a month in jail for 6 years. They also got 10 years probation. The judge stayed the jail time while the Neumanns appeal their convictions.

Not only is that an odd sentence, it's inadequate.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

A central Wisconsin couple who prayed rather than seeking medical care for their 11-year-old dying daughter were sentenced Tuesday to six months in jail and 10 years' probation in the girl's death.

Dale and Leilani Neumann could have received up to 25 years in prison for second-degree homicide in the March 2008 death of Madeline Neumann, who died of an undiagnosed but treatable form of diabetes. Prosecutors had asked for a three-year suspended prison sentence and 10 years' probation. Defense attorneys had sought four years' probation.

Marathon County Circuit Judge Vincent Howard told the Neumanns that they were "very good people, raising their family who made a bad decision, a reckless decision."

"God probably works through other people," he told the parents, "some of them doctors."

The case was 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.

Prosecutors contended the Neumanns recklessly killed their youngest of four children by ignoring obvious symptoms of severe illness as she became too weak to speak, eat, drink or walk. They said the couple had a legal duty to take the girl to a doctor but relied totally on prayer for healing.

"We are here today because to some, you made Kara a martyr to your faith," Howard told the parents.

...The judge ordered the couple to serve one month in jail each year for six years so the parents can "think about Kara and what God wants you to learn from this."

One parent would serve the term in March and the other in September. Howard stayed the jail sentence while the convictions are appealed.

As part of their probation, the parents must allow a public health nurse to examine their two underage children at least once every three months and must immediately take their children to a doctor for any serious injuries.

Assistant District Attorney LaMont Jacobson said justice was served by the sentences, but he was disappointed the parents never said they were sorry for what happened.

Justice was served?

We have the freedom to worship. That's a precious right that should be protected.

However, when exercising that right means putting the life of a child at risk, we're in different territory. The freedom to practice one's faith must be exercised responsibly. There must be limits.

And when exercising one's religious beliefs is directly related to a death, there must be accountability.

The fact is Kara's death was preventable. Her parents didn't prevent it.

The family's religious beliefs are no excuse for failing to get Kara the medical care that would have saved her life.

Six months?

Howard said that the Neumanns "made Kara a martyr to [their] faith."

I don't think so. A martyr chooses to suffer and/or die.

Eleven-year-old Kara had this twisted "martyrdom" thrust upon her.

And the Neumanns never said they were sorry for failing to save their daughter's life.

Do they really think God would approve?
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