Authorities in Illinois are pursuing criminal charges against a woman accused of hiding her teen daughter’s medical condition from others in the family, resulting in the girl’s death last month.
According to Fox News, the 14-year-old was diagnosed with diabetes in 2013. Prosecutors claim Amber Hampshire was aware of the girl’s diagnosis but did not share the information.
Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Gibbons called Emily’s death “completely senseless,” indicating that she could have easily survived if given the proper treatment.
Emergency medical personnel reportedly responded to a residence in Alton on November 1 and found Emily in cardiac arrest. After being transported to an area hospital and transferred via air ambulance to a St. Louis medical center, she was pronounced dead.
In addition to learning her daughter was diabetic, prosecutors say the suspect also knew of subsequent medical issues including serious side effects from diabetic ketoacidosis “as recently as February 2018.”
Hampshire is expected to face criminal counts including involuntary manslaughter and endangering the life or health of a child.
A statement announcing the charges indicates Emily’s father was unaware of the girl’s health issues, as reported by KTVI.
“Amber Hampshire had all of the information and all of the resources available to take care of this and instead chose to conceal it from even the closest family members,” Gibbons said.
Officials do not believe a religious objection to medical intervention was behind the woman’s alleged decision to allow her daughter to die.
“Investigators looked into that angle and I don’t think there’s any reason to believe that’s a claim or defense in this case,” Gibbons said, suggesting “substantial evidence” suggests otherwise.
Authorities confirmed the suspect surrendered to Alton police earlier this week.
[Featured image: Amber Hampshire, Alton Police Department]