A man is potentially looking at a lengthy jail 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’. The conviction stems from the tragic passing of his daughter, Alice Bredhold, 12, who died due to complications from unmanaged diabetes.
Alice was discovered deceased on July 4, 2024, in her bedroom at the family’s home on South New York Avenue in Evansville, Indiana. An investigation 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 due to consistently high blood sugar levels reported while she was at school.
The prosecution presented evidence from a school nurse showing multiple blood sugar readings well above normal levels in the weeks leading up to Alice’s death. According to the Centers for Disease Control, individuals with diabetes should aim for blood sugar levels below 180 two hours after eating.
Prosecutor Winston Lin emphasized the parents’ responsibility in managing Alice’s health, especially given her young age of 12. He highlighted the critical nature of maintaining routines for individuals with Type 1 diabetes.
Lin suggested that Alice’s death was not unforeseeable, as some individuals described it as a shocking yet expected event. The prosecution noted that Alice had been hospitalized several times since the age of 10 and that the family had sought the help of a pediatric psychologist at one point.
Despite these interventions, the defense argued that Brent Bredhold, who is not a single parent, faced challenges in managing daily tasks due to his job on the railroad, which often required him to be away from home for extended periods.
Brent Bredhold is set to receive his sentence on October 23, while his wife, Ashley Marie Bredhold, 39, who faces the same charges, is scheduled to stand trial in February 2026.