A Washington state mother has been charged with manslaughter following the tragic death of her 10-year-old diabetic daughter during a family road trip, after allegedly failing to seek medical attention as the child's condition deteriorated.
Charges Filed Following Extensive Investigation
Lloydina McAllister, 42, from Kirkland, Washington, was arrested on November 4 following a comprehensive police investigation into the July incident that resulted in her daughter's death. The mother appeared in court on November 13, where she entered a not guilty plea to the charges against her.
As of last week, McAllister remained detained at the King County Correctional Facility, with court authorities setting her bail at $1 million. The case was initially referred to Kirkland Police Department by Child Protective Services on July 24, after McAllister brought her deceased daughter to a Tacoma hospital.
Avoiding Medical Care During 700-Mile Journey
According to court documents and police statements, the child - who had been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes - is believed to have died from prolonged diabetic ketoacidosis. This life-threatening condition occurs when the body, lacking sufficient insulin, begins breaking down fat for energy.
Prosecutors allege that McAllister had observed warning signs of her daughter's deteriorating condition in mid-July. Rather than seeking medical assistance, she reportedly embarked on a road trip from Washington to northern California with her boyfriend and three children.
During the return journey to Washington, the family travelled more than 700 miles and passed 31 hospitals while the 10-year-old's condition continued to worsen. By the time McAllister brought her daughter to hospital on July 18, the child had already been dead for several hours, according to an arrest affidavit.
History of Medical Neglect and Concerning Patterns
McAllister later told police investigators she hadn't sought medical help because she lacked permission from the girl's father to take their daughter out of state. She also claimed it was the child's responsibility to pack her own medical supplies, which had been accidentally left at home.
Documents revealed that the girl's diabetes had been chronically mismanaged since her initial diagnosis in 2018. State authorities had received four separate reports concerning the family to the Department of Children, Youth and Families.
The child's school had previously raised concerns after she arrived with dangerously high blood sugar levels. School employees reported that the girl said she couldn't disclose what she'd eaten for breakfast, fearing she might be taken away from her mother.
Police examination of McAllister's cellphone records showed she had searched for methods to quickly lower blood sugar levels shortly before her daughter's death. Following the tragedy, she searched for information about whether police investigate "sudden death from diabetes" and queries about hiring legal representation.
Kirkland Police Chief Mike St. Jean described the case as "a complex and emotionally challenging investigation" in a Friday statement. He emphasised that "collaboration between our detectives, medical professionals, and prosecutors was essential in bringing clarity to what happened" and reaffirmed the department's commitment to "protecting our community's most vulnerable residents, especially children who cannot advocate for themselves."
