Should This Mother Be On Trial?
By LevysLuv
@LevysLuv (238)
United States
May 20, 2009 1:18pm CST
We currently have a case going on here in WI. The case involves the parents of an 11 year old girl who died as a result of diabetes. The girl was ill and instead of her parents taking her to a doctor they chose to pray instead. The girl’s parents didn’t believe in doctors or medicine. Her mother stated to friends she believed only those who sin gets ill. Doctors say her death could have been prevented had the girl received treatment. The girl’s parents are now on trial for second-degree reckless homicide. Some, though few, believe the girl’s parents shouldn’t be punished ad this was the religious belief of her parents. The irony is a few days into her trial the mother collapse in court and was seen by a doctor she is so strongly against.
Personally, I don’t think second-degree reckless homicide is severe as her parents should be tried with. Religious beliefs or not when a human life is on the line you need to do what’s best for the humane. What do you think? Is this a violation of religious beliefs or a just trial?
2 people like this
12 responses
@Natara (169)
• Canada
20 May 09
Yes, for sure. I believe that if anyone else extremely religious was asked this question they would be upset at the mother. It is not wrong to be religious, but it is wrong when someone's life, especially a child's life, is threatened because of religion.
1 person likes this
@LevysLuv (238)
• United States
21 May 09
It truly is a sad situation. The young girls older sister testified a day or two ago that the day before her sister passed away she had to physically help her sister to the restroom because she was unable to get there under her own strength. How does anyone let alone a parent ignore that?!?!?!?!
@smileonstar (4007)
• United States
21 May 09
Hi, I think they should be on trail cuz this is not a joke, her daughter's life was in her hand and she took it an easy step, that's not right at all. If she believes in something then it is on her own but this sickness can't be held by a doctor that could save her life.
I dont understand why most people love to put their own love one life on the line like this, if they make just a little mistake... everything will be over. and now, here it is... who should she blame? Religion or the doctor or herself?
1 person likes this
@redyellowblackdog (10629)
• United States
21 May 09
Yes, the parents should be on trial. Religious beliefs when so practiced are reduced to superstition. There is nothing about any true religion that requires anyone to be delusional and in denial about modern science. Religious belief is not allowed to harm another.
1 person likes this
@highflyingxangel (9225)
• United States
21 May 09
I definitely think the parents need to be on trial. The belief that only those that sin get ill is well, extremely outdated thinking. It just doesn't not make any sense. How do you explain how such good, great people get sick and die? Secondly, this was their child, they should have done so much more for their child instead of sit idly by and let their daughter die while all they did was pray. As far as I'm concerned, because they sat by and did nothing, they should be punished.
1 person likes this
@wahmivy (776)
• Philippines
21 May 09
She should certainly go to trial. I myself am a firm believer in the power of prayer, but it's horribly (and in this case, criminally) limiting to believe that doctors cannot be instruments of God for healing. Faith is a great thing, but God also gave us common sense and we should use it.
@calisha86 (11)
• United States
21 May 09
I do believe in miracle and that God heals. I also believe that prayer should be accompanied by treatment. If someone has an illness medical treatment should be sought immediately. Prayer complements the treatment. If the doctors give you bad news pray harder but NEVER STOP TREATMENT!!! I don't think that seeking medical treatment is a loss of faith.
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
20 May 09
I think that god works in mysterious ways, and maybe he worked in his own way with this family. However, I do think that a doctor should be seen regardless of religion and the degree of religion because if it's just common sense to see a doctor one should see one. It sounds as if the parents need some counseling, and that their religious understandings need to be questioned to understand the full extent of why this happened, I also think that if nothing else they need to figure out for themselves what their god wants.
1 person likes this
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
20 May 09
Yes, they should be on trial and I believe the charges are appropriate because diabetes is a treatable disease. A parent's primary responsibility is to their child and, if their child's health or life is on the line, that child's welfare trumps any religious beliefs. I hope they are convicted and that the judge throws the book at them.
1 person likes this
@mommaj (23112)
• United States
20 May 09
I would have said if it was their religious belief they shouldn't have been on trial. But if the mother doesn't practice what she preaches, they should be hung for killing their child.
Everyone has a right to their beliefs. If the beliefs interfere with the well being of another then the law needs to step in. If these beliefs were shared by all members of the family then chances are good the beliefs were that of the child's as well until the child became a separate unit at age of 18.
@lelin1123 (15595)
• Puerto Rico
20 May 09
Ok so the mother collapses and she taken care of by a doctor that is so wrong. For that reason alone yes they both should be on trial for the homicide. Why would it be ok for the mother to be taken care of and not the poor child. Something is fishy there.
@LevysLuv (238)
• United States
21 May 09
To be fare, I don't know why, I don't know if the mother was conciouse or not when taken to the doctor. Nor do I knw if she refused treatment but I highly doubt she refused treatment since after she was seen by a doctor she returned to the court room in a wheelchair.
@anotherxidentity (1434)
• United States
20 May 09
I completely agree with you on the topic. The thing is religion probably does more harm than good for people and these cases are just one of the reasons why I have that stand. Ignorance is no reason to not get punished for something you do. I say go ahead and charge the family and I hope that they get charged for it.
1 person likes this
@dianamunoz1 (125)
• United States
20 May 09
I do agree that the parents should be on trial because that is a human life that is on another humans hands when you have a child you do what you belive is best for them regardless of your belives I mean you have a gift from god, why would you risk losing it and it must have been sever because diabetes is not that hard to deal with now a days. they should be punished for not looking out to the full extend of that childs benefit. I have three children and I would do anything to keep them out of harms way would never just let them die I would fight for them until the end.
1 person likes this
