Rachel Modrow, seen in the inset image, was taken into custody at the Hennepin County Jail. Meanwhile, in the background, her daughter can be seen receiving medical attention from EMS personnel. This incident was captured in a video shared on YouTube by WCCO.
A mother from Minnesota is going to prison for the tragic death of her 9-year-old daughter. Prosecutors revealed that during an asthma attack, the mother refused to let her daughter’s friend’s parents take her to the hospital. Instead, she decided to treat the child with a steam bath and “home remedies.”
According to the criminal complaint filed against Rachel Modrow, 36, of Hopkins, last April by Hennepin County prosecutors, she didn’t hesitate to take action when her daughter experienced a severe asthma attack while at a sleepover with a friend. Despite her daughter “being blue,” wheezing heavily, and unable to raise her arms, Rachel was determined to treat the attack at home with her husband. The mom of her daughter’s friend attempted to take the girl for medical treatment but was denied.
The complaint states that the friend’s mom drove the victim home and offered to take her to a doctor, but the defendants declined the offer. According to the friend’s mom, the victim was experiencing wheezing, heavy breathing, blue skin, inability to raise her arms, and was crying.
Modrow, who admitted her guilt in October, has been handed a 41-month prison sentence for second-degree manslaughter. This comes after she confessed to her involvement in the death of her daughter in February last year. According to court records, Anthony Modrow, the child’s father, has pleaded not guilty to his second-degree manslaughter charge and is scheduled to stand trial later this month.
According to the complaint, while Modrow’s daughter was at her friend’s house, she had to use her grandmother’s inhaler because her parents did not have one for her.
According to the document, the friend’s mom informed Modrow that the victim’s breathing was deteriorating and that she was not pretending. It was stated that the victim was unable to breathe. Modrow advised the friend’s mom to bring the victim home since they had an inhaler.
The friend’s mom revealed that the inhaler was not effectively reducing the symptoms of Modrow’s asthma attack. Anthony Modrow informed the authorities that their daughter was wheezing, struggling to breathe, crying, upset, and feeling unwell.
According to the complaint, he stated that they attempted to use her rescue inhaler and Advair, an asthma medication, but without any success. The complaint further mentions that they also tried home remedies, like a steam bath, but it had no effect.
A concerned family friend who happened to be visiting the couple’s house immediately took notice of the girl’s condition. Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, they promptly dialed 911 to report the incident. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) workers swiftly arrived at the scene and transported the girl to a nearby hospital. There, she received intensive care for a period of seven days. Tragically, the medical team eventually concluded that the lack of oxygen to her brain, resulting from the asthma attack, had rendered her brain-dead.
According to the complaint, several doctors were consulted regarding the case, including a Pediatric Critical Care doctor. This doctor emphasized the significance of early medical intervention for asthma and stated that the victim would have had a higher chance of survival if medical treatment had been provided earlier. The doctor also highlighted that a steam bath is not a recognized treatment for asthma. Additionally, it was noted that having a rescue inhaler is crucial for asthma patients, and using someone else’s inhaler may not be effective as it may not contain the appropriate medication. Another medical professional who treated the victim in the hospital further emphasized the importance of timely medical treatment, as it greatly impacts the outcome.
