Faith-Healing Parents Given Jail Sentence

(AP)  Updated at 3:25 a.m. Eastern.

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.

Marathon County Circuit Court Judge Vincent Howard told the Neumanns 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 their daughter to a doctor but relied totally on prayer for healing. The girl, known as Kara, died on the floor of the family's rural Weston home as people surrounded her and prayed. Someone finally called the emergency dispatcher after she stopped breathing.

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

In testimony at trial and videotaped interviews with police, the parents said they believe healing comes from God and that they never expected their daughter to die as they prayed for her and summoned others to do the same. A friend who was at the family's rural Weston home called the emergency dispatcher after the girl stopped breathing.

During the sentencing hearing, Leilani Neumann, 41, told the judge her family is loving and forgiving and has wrongly been portrayed as religious zealots.

"I do not regret trusting truly in the Lord for my daughter's health," she said. "Did we know she had a fatal illness? No. Did we act to the best of our knowledge? Yes."

Dale Neumann, 47, read from the Bible and told the judge that he loved his daughter.

"I am guilty of trusting my Lord's wisdom completely. ... Guilty of asking for heavenly intervention. Guilty of following Jesus Christ when the whole world does not understand. Guilty of obeying my God," he said.

The Neumanns held each other as Howard sentenced them, a Bible on the table nearby and their three teenage children sitting behind them in the front row of the courtroom.

Prosecutors had asked for a three-year suspended prison sentence and 10 years probation. Defense attorneys had sought four years probation.

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 sentences while the couple's 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.

"They allowed Kara to die because they got themselves too caught up in the misguided belief that they were being tested by God," the prosecutor said.

Dale Neumann, who once studied to be a Pentecostal minister, told reporters the couple continues to trust in God.

"We live by faith," he said after the sentencing. "We are completely content with what the Lord has allowed to come down, but he is not done yet."

[izbo10]

The problem here is what it always seems to be and that is religious belief going unquestioned. OH i need my religion so don't question it, grow up get rid of the security blanket and realize this type of thing happens all the time. End Religion. People here are saying seeking medical help is consistant with jesus, well maybe but strangely the best quote they give is god helps those who help themselves. Considering the bible constantly tells your prayer works that seems more relevant to helping yourself in this context. This is disgusting. Please everyone grow up and get past these superstitions.

[legionofwolves]

this is very disturbing. most parents try to move mountains for their children, these people did not even call a doctor, or emergency aid as she lay dying on the floor! this story also illustrates perfectly the psychology of mob mentality. the other people present at the time of Madilene's death, the only one partially innocent of man-slaughter is the person who eventually called emergency personel.
reguardless of your beliefs you owe it to your children, who do not have the knowlege or legal ability to take action of their own, too help them in matters of health and finances.

[diamruby]

Not only are they murderers but all the people that were in that house & allowed her to die untreated. Relgion is the reason the world is at war & people use it to control others. It amazes me when people thank "God" for saving them (think Elizabeth Smart), why did "God" allow them to be taken & raped, beaten etc.? Why did he not listen to the prayers of everyone to save that person? I think "God" gave us brains & the ability to use them to help each other & doctors are the healers of today not some man who decided he wanted to be a relgious leader as his career. This is not the first murder case where a religious organization is resposible for murderiing one of its followers, most of the time it is the innocent children of brainwashed parents. The law needs to be more aware of this problem & protect the helpless from these nuts. All of these people should be in prison for murder.

[ici2i]

Perfect! If you plan to murder a family member through negligence and ignorance, establish yourself in the community as a religius nut case first such as the Christian Science types. I don't care what you believe or how you say it, religion is responsible or had some hand in more deaths, pain and suffering than all other causes combined; natural and man made. All you gotta do is believe and seek forgiveness and you've got yourself a free ride to heaven. Hey, the court essentially condoned this killing with a slap on the wrist so keep your eyes open people, someone with a cross may pray you to death. And to you folks who have nothing but genuine loving intentions and love all neighbors equally, foreign and domestic, I feel very bad that this story is another black mark on your faith.

[kangarc]

1. They were not sentenced for praying. Nobody every denied their right to pray, so quit pretending this has anything to do with religious freedom.

2. They were convicted of negligence that caused their daughter's death. In this case, it was willful negligence, stupid stubborn negligence, because they knew that necessary medical help was readily available.

3. To all you parents who are defending these idiots, I suggest: Allow god alone to feed your kids. Allow god alone to clothe your kids. Allow god alone to heal your kids' strep throat and broken arms. Allow god alone to brush your kids' teeth. Allow god alone to protect your kids from smallpox and polio. In this way, you'll allow god alone to clean up the gene pool.

[johndevinejr]

by gangesdak October 7, 2009 7:11 AM EDT
I think law overstepped its boundary. This is judicial arrogance. People are taught to give lip sympathy to God. We should have room for people who rely on God.


What is wrong with you? You can neglect a child to death because you believe in God? Are you out of your mind?

The judge was wrong, he should have put them in jail for life.

[johndevinejr]

This in not the year 900 it is 2009. These people should have been sentenced to life in prison for this nonsense.

What is the difference between believing that prayer will heal your child and believing that sacrificing a goat will heal your child?

[dvillegas43]

Six months. Apparantly children are worth less than dogs in Wisconsin. Michael Vick got 2 years just for abusing animals. The judge should have given them a lot more. At least 10 years.

[sly_64]

If god created man in his own image, he is therefore a liar and a killer, since men are .

[sly_64]

Physiatric help should have been part of the sentence. Extreme lack of common sense !