Wis. parents who prayed instead of seeking medical care for dying daughter set to be sentenced

Wis. parents to be sentenced in prayer death case

WAUSAU, Wis. — A Wisconsin couple convicted of reckless homicide for praying instead of seeking medical care for their dying 11-year-old daughter are set to be sentenced.

Dale and Leilani Neumann face up to 25 years in prison each when sentenced Tuesday. They were convicted at separate trials of second-degree reckless homicide in Madeline Neumann’s March 2003 death from undiagnosed diabetes.

Prosecutors contended the parents should have rushed the girl to a hospital because she couldn’t walk, talk, eat or drink. Madeline died on the floor of the family’s rural home as people surrounded her and prayed. Someone called 911 when she stopped breathing.

The Neumanns say they believe all healing comes from God. Their attorneys have said the convictions will be appealed.