A man is set to receive a lengthy prison term following his legal responsibility for the death of his 12-year-old daughter.
Brent Bredhold, aged 39, could face up to 40 years in prison after a jury found him guilty of ‘neglect of a dependent causing death’. This verdict stems from the tragic passing of his daughter, Alice Bredhold, aged 12, who lost her life due to complications from poorly managed diabetes.
The tragic incident occurred on July 4, 2024, when Alice was discovered deceased in her bedroom at their residence on South New York Avenue in Evansville, Indiana. Investigations revealed that Alice had diabetes, but her parents failed to provide adequate care for her condition. Prior to her demise, the Department of Child Services had contacted Alice’s parents about her consistently high blood sugar levels at school.
Prosecutors highlighted alarming blood sugar readings reported by a school nurse, indicating a severe lack of proper diabetes management. The Centers for Disease Control recommends blood sugar levels below 180 after meals for individuals with diabetes, contrasting with the readings observed in Alice’s case.
The state argued that given Alice’s young age of 12, it was the parents’ duty to address her health needs, emphasizing the critical nature of managing Type 1 diabetes in children. They suggested that Alice’s death was not unforeseen given the circumstances and testimonies describing it as “shocking but not unexpected”.
According to the prosecution, Alice had been hospitalized multiple times since the age of 10, and despite seeking help from a pediatric psychologist, Brent Bredhold allegedly failed to adhere to professional advice.
In defense, Bredhold’s attorney, Dawnya Taylor, countered the portrayal of him as a single parent by asserting his frequent absence due to his job in the railroad industry, which often required extended periods of travel.
Brent Bredhold is awaiting sentencing on October 23, while the trial of Alice’s mother, Ashley Marie Bredhold, aged 39, facing similar charges, is scheduled for February 2026.