Woman Hid Daughter's Diabetes Diagnosis Until Girl Died

An Illinois mother, who hid her daughter's diabetes diagnosis for five years, was charged in connection with her death Thursday.

A press release from Madison County State's Attorney Tom Gibbons stated that Amber Hampshire, 39, was charged with one count each of “involuntary manslaughter” and “endangering the life or health of a child.”

Her 14-year-old daughter Emily died, in November this year and investigation stated 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,” the press release stated, NBC News reported.

Hampshire called 911 on Nov.1 and said that Emily was unresponsive. She was rushed to a nearby hospital and then then airlifted to Cardinal Glennon in St. Louis, where she was unresponsive throughout the treatment. She died two days later. Diabetic Ketoacidosis was found as cause of her death.

Hampshire, however, did not tell doctors about her daughter being diagnosed with diabetes in 2013. She instead told them that earlier this year she was diagnosed with pneumonia and also that she had high sugar levels but did not mention about insulin. When the doctors told Hampshire to show Emily’s medical record, she refused. Doctors managed to obtain the records after her death and found the girl was diagnosed with diabetes five years ago.

When the teen was admitted to St. Louis Children's Hospital earlier this year, doctors had prescribed insulin as a routine medicine. Follow-up appointments were also set, however, Emily never showed up.

Emily’s school was also sent a notice about her diabetes diagnosis. Her mother, who worked at the school at that time, said the diagnosis was wrong, KSDK reported.

A few days after the teen’s death, police obtained a search warrant and found diabetes medications as well as other equipment to treat people suffering from the disease, at their home.

Doctors at Cardinal Glennon believe medical neglect could have led to Emily’s death.

“There were so many supportive people around this family and this young girl, who would've stepped up and helped. I have no words,” said Gibbons.

Speaking about how a parent could let their child suffer, Clinical psychologist Dr. Marva Robinson said it could be a result of personality disorder.

“It sounds like it could be a personality characteristic where an individual wants to live their life through someone else. So this image must be perfect. So anything that is a crack to that foundation is ignored or dismissed,” Dr. Robinson said.

Gibbons said, “If it was the pursuit of perfection in a child, I think every child is perfect in their own way. I don't know what it was that drove her to do this.”

“I pray for this family. I pray for this father and sibling, and her grandparents, and everyone around her, her church and her school, that they can find some peace through what must be really shocking news today,” he added, Fox 2 News reported.

If convicted, she could face up to 14 years imprisonment for manslaughter charge and up to 10 years for endangering the life of a minor.