A man is facing significant prison time after being held legally responsible for his 12-year-old daughter’s death.
Brent Bredhold, aged 39, could receive 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, 12, who succumbed to complications from poorly managed diabetes.
On July 4, 2024, Alice was discovered deceased on the floor of her bedroom at their home on South New York Avenue in Evansville, Indiana. Investigations revealed that Alice had diabetes, but her parents failed to assist her in managing the condition. Prior to her death, the Department of Child Services had contacted Alice’s parents because her blood sugar levels were consistently high at school.
Prosecutors referenced a school nurse who recorded 44 readings over 300 and 14 readings exceeding 600 in the weeks leading up to Alice’s passing. The Centers for Disease Control consider blood sugar levels below 180 two hours after a meal as the target for individuals with diabetes.
The state argued that given Alice’s young age of 12, it was her parents’ responsibility to address her health condition. Prosecutor Winston Lin emphasized the importance of routine care for individuals with Type 1 diabetes.
Lin suggested that Alice’s death was not unforeseen, citing accounts describing her passing as “shocking yet expected”. Alice had been hospitalized multiple times since the age of 10, and the family had sought the help of a pediatric psychologist at one point.
However, according to Lin, Brent Bredhold did not adhere to the psychologist’s advice. Bredhold’s defense attorney, Dawnya Taylor, clarified that he was not a single parent but was frequently away from home due to his job on the railroad, often requiring extended travel periods.
Brent Bredhold is set for sentencing on October 23, while the trial of Alice’s mother, Ashley Marie Bredhold, 39, facing similar charges, is scheduled for February 2026.