Alice Bredhold Evansville IN Obituary: Parents refused to treat their 12-year-old daughter's diabetes, leading to her death

The heartbreaking story of 12-year-old Alice Bredhold of Evansville, Indiana, highlights the dire need for effective diabetes control and the catastrophic results of disregarding the disease. 

The Bredhold parents, Ashley and Brent, are now facing accusations of neglect of a dependant following the Fourth of July discovery of their Type 1 diabetic daughter Alice's body in her house. 

This tragic tale brings to light the seriousness of diabetic complications and prompts us to examine the efficacy of our system in safeguarding children who are particularly susceptible.

Insulin is a hormone that cells need to use sugar (glucose) for energy. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas does not make enough insulin, a chronic illness. Alice and other children with this illness require round-the-clock monitoring and care. 

To avoid dangerous consequences like diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), insulin must be provided routinely and blood sugar levels must be monitored constantly. It would appear that Alice was sadly not given the care and attention she needed.

The way Alice managed her diabetes was inadequate, according to the authorities. Based on Alice's carbohydrate consumption, her mother Ashley Bredhold informed the police that she was meant to take short-acting insulin doses after each meal and a long-acting insulin shot before bed each night. 

Nonetheless, without regular monitoring of blood sugar levels, this regimen is inadequate on its own. The severity of the neglect is further demonstrated by Alice's predicament at school. 

She allegedly had 34 instances of dangerously high blood sugar levels upon arrival at school during the school year, including one week when her levels were over 500. Her blood sugar levels are far higher than the recommended range of 80 to 120, which is set by the World Health Organization (WHO). This suggests that her illness is being severely mismanaged.

A very disturbing pattern of occurrences unfolds on the day Alice passes away. According to the allegations, Ashley Bredhold had her son wake Alice, who was discovered asleep on the floor. 

Ashley shockingly waited two more hours before contacting 911, and she waited two more hours after learning her daughter was critically ill before checking on Alice herself. The time she tried to give the medication was after it had already been administered. 

Alice was motionless and her body was frigid. Diabetic ketoacidosis, a deadly consequence of diabetes that happens when the body begins to burn down lipids too rapidly because of inadequate insulin, was eventually declared by the coroner to be Alice's cause of death. The discovery that Alice's liver was larger than an adult woman's further emphasizes the severity and length of her illness.

A month-long inquiry led to the accusations being brought against Ashley and Brent Bredhold, Alice's parents. Both were taken into custody and are currently being held on $100,000 bonds, each for the offense of neglect of a dependent. 

Not only was Alice's medical care neglected, but the home itself was in a terrible state, with vermin and rubbish all over the place, according to the cops who investigated. There were additional worries regarding the living conditions of the children as two more were removed from the family.

An important lesson to be learned from this example is the vital role that caregivers and parents play in ensuring the health and happiness of children dealing with long-term illnesses. 

Although it is treatable, people with type 1 diabetes must stick precisely to their treatment plan, which includes taking insulin at prescribed intervals, monitoring their blood sugar levels frequently, and getting medical help quickly in the event of an emergency. As Alice's tragic story shows, ignoring these responsibilities can lead to deadly outcomes.

In addition, the instance prompts vital inquiries regarding the overall frameworks designed to assist families coping with long-term health conditions. Could healthcare providers, schools, or social services have seen warning signs sooner? 

Would the tragedy have been averted if there had been greater intervention? In order to avoid repeats of this kind of incident, it is essential to answer some challenging but important questions.

Finally, the tragic loss of Alice Bredhold's life highlights the critical nature of diabetes care and the dire repercussions of inadvertent negligence. It also stresses the need of adults watching out for vulnerable children and making sure they get the help they need. 

This case is expected to be a serious lesson in the obligations of caring for a kid with a chronic disease and the serious consequences of ignoring those obligations as it progresses through the legal system.