Mother charged with manslaughter following death of diabetic daughter

[DCUK NewsBot]

A woman has been charged with manslaughter following the death of her daughter after reportedly hiding the teenager's diabetes from her hospital. Amber Hampshire, 39, who lives in Illinois, US refused to release her daughter's medical records, according to a press release from Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Gibbons, and prevented her from receiving proper treatment. Hampshire also denied that her daughter, Emily Ikue-Rose Hampshire, used insulin. Emily died from diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) on 3 November, two days after she was transferred to a St Louis hospital following a call from her mother to paramedics on 1 November informing them that Emily was unresponsive and not breathing. DKA is a life-threatening complication of either undiagnosed or uncontrolled type 1 diabetes which results in too high blood glucose levels. Emily had been diagnosed with diabetes in 2013, but this wasn't known by Emily’s hospital until after her death. Hampshire had previously blocked doctors from accessing copies of Emily's medical records. Hampshire allegedly told St Louis doctors that Emily had been diagnosed elsewhere in February 2018 with pneumonia, and that Emily had high blood glucose levels but was not prescribed insulin. Hampshire had been instructed to bring Emily to three follow-up appointments following her February 2018 hospitalisation, but did not do so. An investigation found that Hampshire "was fully aware of Emily's diabetic condition but took measures to conceal Emily’s diabetes and failed to provide Emily with appropriate medical treatment and medication, which led to Emily's death from diabetic ketoacidosis". Hampshire has been charged with one count of involuntary manslaughter and one count of endangering the life or health of a child. If convicted, she faces up to 14 years of prison for the manslaughter charge and up to 10 years for endangering Emily’s life. Days after Emily's death, police obtained a search warrant and discovered diabetes medication and equipment at Hampshire's home.

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[kitedoc]

What a tragedy!! Hindsight is 20/20 vision as the American say. Sadly too many cases of child neglect slip through. When does the hospital team take the step to send child/adolescent care workers out to the home to investigate? If the US had a better primary care system where the community-based primary care physician was more involved in the diabetics care and thus was perhaps in a better position to intervene? And how much does the libertine attitude of some (but not all) doctors and Americans make these cases more likely to occur.
As an example, one of many, I have heard US doctors surprised that a country would legislate for compulsory wearing of seat belts ? It is all up to the individual (and presumably the parent where a child is involved) to do what is safest??
Whose mental attitude is worse in some cases - negligent parents or uncaring health professionals??
Of course spouting generalisations are not going to solve problems but changing attitudes is always difficult !!
Any child with a health condition which makes them dependent on a health system and the co-operation of one or more parents is a child at risk, whether theory or practice. Having strong community supports, a fair and robust health system are key to that child being given the best chances in life. Not saying that this tragedy could not have happened elsewhere.
But when, if ever, will the US wake up !!!

 

[EllieM]

Any child with a health condition which makes them dependent on a health system and the co-operation of one or more parents is a child at risk, whether theory or practice.

I've always wondered what happens in the US if the parents are unable or unwilling to pay for a child's insulin... Though in this case, given that the hospital knew she had high blood sugar, you'd think that the first thing they would do is test for DKA?

 

[kitedoc]

I think that all the hospital does is check whether appointments have been kept or not, as a sort of measure of compliance or otherwise. I have heard that some people fall between the widening cracks of the US health system and die from inability to afford insulin or do not have the wherewithall to find cheap supplies. Syringes and needles being on script does not help either.
At a guess this case sounds like perhaps undiagnosed and under-recognised problems with the mother.
Of course the supposed default is going to ER but the parent has to have the inclination and awareness of the need for her child to be taken there, the money to get there or be able to afford the ambulance and ER is short stay care. Some people decline to go to ER because of fear they will be hit with a massive hospital bill if admitted. I cannot get my head around how the primary care system interfaces with the hospital system over there but I guess that if you have difficulty affording medications the bill from a primary care physician is going to prevent access to closer to home services. Mind you how many GPs do home visits these days !!! And the US system has safety nets and rights which are being eroded by El Trump and co.. . Just look at the anti-female legislation in so many US States as an example.