Inset left to right: Ashley Bredhold, Brent Bredhold (Vanderburgh County Sheriff”s Office), and Alice Bredhold (Obituary). Background: the residence where Alice died from diabetes complications (Google Maps).
Alice Bredhold was all of 12 years old when she died from wholly treatable diabetes complications, according to Indiana authorities.
Brent Bredhold, 39, the girl’s father, stands accused of one count of neglect of a dependent causing death, according to the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office. Trial in his case began on Monday.
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On July 4, 2024, Alice was found dead on her bedroom floor at the family’s residence on South New York Avenue in Evansville, according to affidavits obtained by Evansville-based NBC affiliate WFIE.
An ensuing investigation determined the girl had diabetes, but that her parents were not helping her manage the lifelong disease. Before Alice died, the Hoosier State’s Department of Child Services contacted the Bredhold family because of Alice’s blood sugar levels frequently testing high while she was at school, law enforcement allege.
During opening arguments, the prosecution cited the victim’s documented history of sugar spikes in her blood, according to a courtroom report by Evansville-based ABC affiliate WEHT.
The state cited a nurse at Alice’s school, who reported 44 readings in excess of 300 and 14 readings above 600.
For people with diabetes, blood sugar levels less than 180 two hours after starting a meal are considered typical targets, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
But, the state said, the onus was on Alice’s parents.
“Kids don’t understand the value of daily routines,” Prosecutor Winston Lin told the jury. “With Type 1 diabetes, it is critical.”
Lin went on to say the girl’s death was only a matter of time under such circumstances. He also reportedly cited others who said her untimely passing was “a shocking event but not surprising.”
The father’s defense attorney, Dawnya Taylor, took issue with how the state presented her client, saying the prosecution might have led jurors to believe he was a single parent – which he is not.
Instead, she argued, the defendant was often not at home and able to deal with daily tasks because of his job working on the railroad – which often caused him to travel for more than two days at a time.
Also charged in the case is Alice’s mother, Ashley Marie Bredhold, 39. Her entirely separate trial is slated to begin in February 2025.
Jurors were also presented with a flurry of witnesses after the case previews offered by both sides in Brent Bredhold’s trial.
Several members of law enforcement testified. Some recalled conversations with family members. Others recalled photographing the scene and finding various implements common to those with diabetes. Such items included test strips, injection pens, medicine bottles, alcohol prep pads, pen needle caps, a meter and transmitters, and pods of insulin for an insulin pump, according to WEHT.
One detective testified Brent Bredhold was not part of those initial goings-on at all. Instead, the detective recalled only speaking with or seeing only Alice’s brother, sister, mother, and maternal grandparents on the day the girl was found deceased from diabetic ketoacidosis.
Alice attended Evans Elementary School where she played cello in the school’s orchestra, a tribute remembers. An avid reader, Alice was in a local book club. She was also a member of 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.”
