GainesvilleMoms.com

I just saw this on Nancy Grace. Any thoughts? While I am all for prayer, I think that it is a parent's responsibility to seek medical treatment when a child is this ill. IMO, prayer and practicality go hand-in-hand. You have to be practical when it comes to kids and medical issues. This child needlessly suffered.

So, what do you think? Should the parents be criminally charged? Should they keep their other children, or should their other children be removed from the home?

http://www.thonline.com/article.cfm?id=195705

I was just watching the same thing and a man called in and made a good point. He said that if someone was caught just watching their dog die, they would be charged with a crime. I don't understand these parents that can watch their children suffer and not do anything. I absolutely believe in prayer, and if my child is sick you can bet that I am praying for a good doctor.

I once heard a story about a guy who was lost at sea. He prayed that God would save him. Within a few hours, a small man in a canoe went by. "Let me help you?" he said. The lost man said "no thanks. God will save me." so the canoe man paddled away. The next day, a fishing boat came tooling by... they stopped and said "Let us help you! Swim over here and we'll pull you in the boat and take you back to shore." "No thanks - I prayed and God will save me." the lost man said so the fishing boat went on. Two days later, a large cruise ship came upon him. It had been almost 4 days now with no food or water. They used the loud speaker and "Catch the rope we throw you! We'll bring you aboard and you can go back to shore with us!" The lost man again answered "No Thanks - I prayed to God and He will save me." So the cruise boat went on. It didn't take long before the lost man passed away and when he got to the pearly gates God asked if he had any questions. He said "Yeah - I have one! I prayed and prayed that God would save me when I was lost at sea. I trusted Him to do that! Why didn't he save me?" God answered, "I sent you a canoe, a fishing boat and even a big cruise ship! What else did you want from me????"

Basically - Suzy - I agree - prayer is important but God also gave us a brain to use!!!!

Well, we are watching the same show...I did hear that caller and he made a good point, didn't he? The authorities are looking into whether or not they will charge the parents. It's just so sad that this little girl had to suffer the way she did.

Hoodmama,
That is the thing, isn't it? God gives us people and knowledge and medicine and all this stuff to help us. Yet, some people refuse it. And I guess if you are refusing it for yourself, then fine. But when it comes to a child, just not fair to allow them to suffer...

I agree...when I lived down south, there is a large population of people who don't believe in using doctors..only prayer. And I used to say the same thing you did, Suzy. That we are given the tools to learn how to take care of ourselves and it's up to us to use them.

I read this story yesterday as well and felt sick about it. How can this not be considered neglect? I believe in prayer but this is really insane. Especially b/c there is so much treatment for juvinile diabetes. I guess I feel like they should be held accountable. Why would you bring life into this world only to let it suffer and die?

I totally agree with holding them accountable. And you're right - if you sit and watch a dog suffer - you can be charged - so why not charged when it's your own child! I have no children of my own on a full time basis. I take care of several other's kids and get to enjoy the parttime mom gig.. however - I can not IMAGINE watching one of those children suffer - they are don't have a stitch of my genetics. I would do and have done things MANY times that does not make MY life fun for the good of the kids. Just a few weeks ago - I was up all night with a sick one - wiping him down with a cold cloth becuase he coudln't keep tylenol down and his fever was scaring me a tad. I am not able to comprehend the idea that you could give birth to a child, take care of him/her, watch them grow, etc and then sit there and watch them suffer to their death without doing anything. If I were in those shoes - I would be grabbing the doctors by the collars of their white jackets and shaking them, begging them to help my child. I would do anything to help my child - shoot - I'll do just about anything to help OTHER people's kids....

However - this brings up a long time debate.... that probably will never be answered or finished. This country was founded on freedom. Freedom to choose your religion was one very important aspect of that freedom. So - by charging the parents who were fervently praying for their child to be healed - does that mean we are taking away the freedom of religion? It's not like tha parent's didn't care - they were following their religious beliefs. What if the government told you you couldn't pray in your house anymore with your children? OR you had to attend a certain church that didn't believe the same things you believe in...

mmmmmmmm - I'm glad I"m not the one having to figure this out. 90% of me says throw the book at them - but then the 10% says - I also want MY freedoms and don't want anyone to take them away from me.

the scary thing is that they have i belive four more children at home.

i'm torn regarding rights and freedoms. i am a very strong proponent of parental rights. i do not want anyone telling me how to raise my children. but i also believe that children deserve protection.

i'm like you, i'm glad i don't have to sit in judgement over this case.

They do have more children. I just can't believe this happened over Type I Diabetes. I agree with most of the outraged people on the web..God plays a role in modern medicine. This makes me so angry!

I've been diagnosed with Diabetes this week. Will find out which type in at my next appt.

Please pray for me while i take my medicine.

I think someone has already mentioned that God gave us brains, he expects us to be responsible with our bodies as well as a list of other things.

You are in my thoughts and prayers. Good luck! Keep us posted!

My dad has Type 2. The good thing about it is that many times it can be controlled with diet (and sometimes insulin to balance it). Definitely keep us posted on how you are doing!

Yes, definitely keep us posted...are you doing okay?

You are definately in our prayers.