An Indiana man is facing substantial prison time after being found legally culpable for his 12-year-old daughter’s death.

This week, Brent Bredhold, 39, received a guilty verdict in Vanderburgh County for neglect of a dependent leading to death. He could face up to a 40-year prison sentence.

The conviction is connected to the death of his daughter, Alice Bredhold, 12, who died prematurely from completely avoidable complications due to unmanaged diabetes.

“This case is heart-wrenching as it involves a young 12-year-old girl with Type 1 diabetes who was left to handle her condition alone until her tragic death,” stated Vanderburgh County Chief Deputy Prosecutor Winston Lin, as reported by Indianapolis-based The CW affiliate WISH. “Her parents should have been her biggest supporters, ensuring her health and survival. Sadly, what they offered instead was apathy, indifference, and neglect.”

On July 4, 2024, Alice was discovered lifeless on the floor of her bedroom at the family home on South New York Avenue in Evansville, according to affidavits sourced by Evansville-based NBC affiliate WFIE.

The subsequent investigation revealed that Alice had diabetes, but her parents failed to assist her in managing the chronic condition. Before her death, the Indiana Department of Child Services notified the parents because Alice’s blood sugar levels often tested at an excessively high range while she was at school.

During opening arguments, the prosecution cited the victim’s documented history of sugar spikes in her blood, according to a courtroom report by Evansville-based ABC affiliate WEHT.

The state cited a school nurse who reported 44 readings in excess of 300 and 14 readings above 600 in the weeks leading up to her death.

For people with diabetes, blood sugar levels less than 180 two hours after starting a meal are considered typical targets, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

The state successfully argued the onus for dealing with such a health condition is on the parents – at least for a 12-year-old.

“Kids don’t understand the value of daily routines,” Prosecutor Winston Lin told the jury. “With Type 1 diabetes, it is critical.”

Lin went on to say the girl’s death was only a matter of time under such circumstances. He also reportedly cited others who said her too soon death was “a shocking event but not surprising.”

The end result of long-term neglect in the specific instance was all but foreseen, prosecutors proved during trial. Alice had been hospitalized numerous times since she was 10 years old, prosecutors said.

In one serious post-hospitalization series of events, the Bredhold family obtained the services of a pediatric psychologist. But even then, Lin said, Brent Bredhold “did not follow through with the psychologist’s professional guidance.”

The father’s defense attorney, Dawnya Taylor, attempted to paint a different picture of her client by taking issue with how the state presented him to the jury. The man’s lawyer said the prosecution might have led jurors to believe he was a single parent – which he is not. Instead, she argued, the defendant was often not at home and able to deal with daily tasks because of his job working on the railroad – which often caused him to travel for more than two days at a time.

That strategy, however unsuccessful, hints to the fact that Alice’s mother –  Ashley Marie Bredhold, 39 – is also accused of the exact same crime. The mother’s trial is slated to begin in February 2026.

During the father’s trial, jurors also heard from numerous witnesses.

Several members of law enforcement testified. Some recalled conversations with family members. Others recalled photographing the scene and finding various implements common to those with diabetes. Such items included test strips, injection pens, medicine bottles, alcohol prep pads, pen needle caps, a meter and transmitters, and pods of insulin for an insulin pump, according to WEHT.

One detective testified Brent Bredhold was not part of those initial goings-on at all. Instead, the detective recalled only seeing or speaking with Alice’s brother, sister, mother, and maternal grandparents on the day the girl was found deceased from diabetic ketoacidosis.

Alice attended Evans Elementary School where she played cello in the school’s orchestra, a tribute remembers. An avid reader, Alice was in a local book club. She was also a member of a youth team dedicated to the scientific exploration of rocks, fossils, and minerals.

“Alice was naturally artistic and creative, and enjoyed doing crafts and drawing,” her obituary reads. “She loved being with her family and spending time with friends. Alice will be remembered for her outgoing, energetic, and friendly spirit. She will be deeply missed.”

Brent Bredhold is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 23.