Tragic Death of 10-Year-Old Girl with Diabetes
A mother from Washington state has been charged with first-degree manslaughter following the death of her 10-year-old daughter from complications related to diabetes. Lloydina McAllister, 42, was arrested earlier this month after investigators concluded her failure to provide timely medical treatment led to her daughter's tragic death.
Details of the Fatal Road Trip
According to court documents, the incident occurred during a road trip in July. McAllister travelled with her boyfriend, her 12-year-old daughter, her one-year-old son, and her 10-year-old diabetic daughter. The criminal complaint states that the young girl began showing clear signs of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a life-threatening complication, during the journey.
These symptoms included extreme thirst, vomiting, stomach pain, and fruit-scented breath. Despite this, the group continued their trip, travelling over 700 miles to Sacramento before turning back towards Washington. Prosecutors allege that McAllister drove past 31 hospitals while her daughter's condition deteriorated in the back seat.
A History of Medical Concerns
The girl had been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2018 and had been hospitalised multiple times with complications. A teacher had previously reported that the child frequently arrived at school with high blood sugar. Just two months before her death, in May, the girl was hospitalised again, and McAllister received additional training on managing her daughter's condition.
Medical providers had reportedly expressed concerns to Child Protective Services about how McAllister handled her daughter's diabetes, citing missed and cancelled appointments. On the day of her daughter's death, cellphone records showed McAllister searched for ways to lower blood sugar and ketones.
Failed Attempt for Help and Legal Consequences
McAllister allegedly told police she recognised her daughter had high ketone levels but did not seek medical help because of a parenting plan with the girl's father that prohibited taking the child out of state. She reportedly feared the consequences of violating this agreement.
On July 18, McAllister texted her mother, who worked at a hospital in Tacoma, Washington, stating they were bringing her daughter in for help. Tragically, the girl died before they reached the facility. Prosecutors believe the child had likely been dead in the back seat for hours, seated beside her siblings.
McAllister is currently being held at King County Correctional Facility on $1 million bail. She has pleaded not guilty to first-degree manslaughter, and her trial is scheduled to begin next month. She is being represented by a public defender.
