A tragic story from Hopkins, Minnesota, has left many shaken after a mother was sentenced to prison for her role in the death of her 9-year-old daughter during an asthma attack. The girl, who was struggling to breathe, didn’t receive the medical help she desperately needed because her mother, Rachel Modrow, refused to let anyone take her to the hospital, prosecutors revealed.
The heartbreaking incident happened last February. The girl had been at a sleepover at a friend’s house when her asthma symptoms started getting worse. The friend’s mother, alarmed by the girl’s condition, offered to take her to a doctor. According to court documents, Rachel Modrow declined the offer, insisting that she and her husband would handle it themselves at home.
The situation grew more serious as the girl began wheezing heavily, turning blue, and struggling to even lift her arms. Despite these alarming signs, Modrow stuck to home remedies like a steam bath instead of seeking emergency medical care.
When the friend’s mom brought the girl back to her parents, she warned them that the child’s breathing was deteriorating and she wasn’t faking it. But Rachel reportedly reassured her that they had an inhaler at home. It turned out the inhaler wasn’t even the girl’s—it belonged to her grandmother. The medication in it wasn’t effective in easing her symptoms.
Rachel and her husband, Anthony Modrow, tried other treatments, including a rescue inhaler and an asthma drug called Advair. But when those didn’t work, they still didn’t call for professional help.
A family friend, who was at the Modrows’ house, noticed the girl’s worsening condition and finally took action. They called 911, and emergency workers rushed the girl to a local hospital. Tragically, it was too late. After spending seven days in the ICU, the little girl was declared brain-dead due to a lack of oxygen caused by the asthma attack.
Doctors who treated her later said she might have survived if she’d gotten help sooner. They emphasized the importance of early medical intervention in asthma cases and explained that home remedies like steam baths are not effective treatments for asthma. They also noted that using someone else’s inhaler can be dangerous since it might not contain the right medication.
This week, Rachel Modrow, 36, pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter and was sentenced to 41 months in prison. Her husband, Anthony, has pleaded not guilty to the same charge and is set to face trial on January 27.
The loss of this young girl has left a community grieving and raises awareness about the critical importance of seeking medical help during emergencies. Asthma is a serious condition, and timely care can often make the difference between life and death.