A US couple who prayed rather than seeking medical attention for their dying daughter have been sentenced to six months in jail.
Dale and Leilani Neumann, of Wisconsin, could have received up to 25 years in prison over the 2008 death of Madeline Neumann, who was known as Kara.
What I found really disturbing is what the judge reportedly said to the couple:
The judge told the Neumanns this would give them time to "think about Kara and what God wants you to learn from this".
He added that they were "very good people, raising their family, who made a bad decision, a reckless decision".
He added: "God probably works through other people, some of them doctors."
This is appalling. While the reduced term showed the judge's mercy on the couple, his remarks did not help the couple to learn the lesson. Their mistake is that their belief is not based on science and caused the unnecessary suffering and death of their daughter. The error of judgement on the part of the couple is huge - therefore they need to spend time in the prison. However, the people surrounding the couple, those prayed with them at the dying moment of the poor girl should be punished as well. They would have helped to save the girl's life if anyone of them suggested to seek medical help.
The couple are appealing against their convictions and still claim to have trust in god. Did they learn anything? Obviously not!
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