Rachel Modrow, a 36-year-old mother from Hopkins, Minnesota, has been sentenced to 41 months in prison for her role in the death of her 9-year-old daughter, who suffered a fatal asthma attack. Prosecutors argued that Modrow’s refusal to seek timely medical intervention directly led to the child’s death.
According to court documents, the girl was attending a sleepover at a friend’s house when her asthma symptoms worsened. The friend’s mother reported that the child was wheezing heavily, her skin had turned blue, and she was unable to lift her arms.
Concerned, the friend’s mother offered to take the girl to the hospital, but Modrow insisted the situation could be managed at home with “home remedies” and a steam bath. “[The friend’s mom] drove the victim home and told the defendants that she could take the victim to a doctor, but the defendants refused the offer,” stated the criminal complaint, reported KSTP.
The girl’s condition continued to deteriorate, despite attempts to use her grandmother’s inhaler, as her parents reportedly did not have one of their own for her. Rachel Modrow’s husband, Anthony, later told police they tried using their daughter’s rescue inhaler and Advair, but “with no success.”
He added that they attempted a steam bath as part of their home remedies, which also proved ineffective. A family friend who was present at the time of the attack ultimately called 911, prompting emergency services to intervene.
The girl was rushed to the hospital and admitted to the ICU, where she remained for a week before being declared brain-dead due to oxygen deprivation. Medical experts stated that earlier medical intervention could have significantly improved her chances of survival.
A Pediatric Critical Care doctor emphasized that steam baths are not a recognized treatment for asthma and stressed the importance of having the correct rescue inhaler available. In October, Rachel Modrow pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter, admitting her negligence contributed to her daughter’s death. She was sentenced to 41 months in prison on Monday.
Her husband, Anthony, has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to stand trial later this month. This tragic case underscores the critical importance of timely medical intervention in managing severe asthma attacks and the potential consequences of neglecting proper care.