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 led directly to the boy’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 girl was breathing hard, her skin had turned blue, and she couldn’t raise her arms.
Concerned, the friend’s mother offered to take the girl to the hospital, but Modrow insisted that the situation could be controlled at home with “home remedies” and a steam bath. “(The friend’s mother) drove the victim home and told defendants she could take her to a doctor, but defendants declined the offer,” the criminal complaint states. KSTP reported.
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 to use their daughter’s rescue inhaler and Advair, but “without success.”
He added that they tried a steam bath as part of their home remedies, which was also ineffective. A family friend who was present at the time of the attack eventually 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 lack of oxygen. Medical experts stated that earlier medical intervention could have significantly improved his chances of survival.
A pediatric critical care physician emphasized that steam baths are not a recognized treatment for asthma and highlighted the importance of having the correct rescue inhaler available. In October, Rachel Modrow pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and admitted that her negligence contributed to her daughter’s death. On Monday she was sentenced to 41 months in prison.
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 the management of severe asthma attacks and the potential consequences of neglecting appropriate care.