Evansville Police have arrested the parents of a 12-year-old girl who was found dead inside her bedroom on July 4. Authorities say the child, identified as Alice Bredhold, died from diabetic ketosis — a preventable complication of unmanaged diabetes.
According to police, officers were called to the family’s home on South New York Avenue, where they found Alice unresponsive on her bedroom floor. The home, investigators said, was in poor condition, with trash and bugs scattered throughout.
Alice’s parents, Ashley and Brent Bredhold, were taken into custody and booked into the Vanderburgh County Jail. Both are charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in death. Their bonds have been set at $100,000 cash each, The CW affiliate WISH.
In affidavits filed by investigators, police noted that Alice was diabetic and that her parents “were not helping her maintain it.” The reports allege a pattern of neglect that contributed directly to her death.
The Vanderburgh County Coroner’s Office confirmed that Alice died from diabetic ketosis, a serious condition that occurs when the body produces high levels of blood acids, or ketones, due to a lack of insulin.
Detectives also learned that the Department of Child Services had previously been involved with the family. According to the affidavit, DCS workers had intervened after school staff repeatedly reported that Alice’s blood sugar levels were extremely high.
Police say two other children were found in the home and have since been removed by DCS for their safety. Authorities described the living conditions as unsanitary, noting that the environment posed health risks to anyone inside, as obtained by Evansville-based NBC affiliate WFIE.
Neighbors expressed sadness and disbelief at the news, saying the family kept mostly to themselves. One neighbor described the scene on the morning of July 4 as “heartbreaking” as first responders surrounded the small home for hours.
Evansville Police say the investigation remains ongoing, but they believe the parents’ failure to properly care for Alice’s medical condition was central to her death.
Ashley and Brent Bredhold remain held at the Vanderburgh County Jail pending further court proceedings. Prosecutors are expected to present the case to a grand jury to determine whether additional charges will be filed.