It was the action of extended family that brought the girl's condition to light.  Madeline's grandmother, who lives out of state, was reportedly concerned about her grandaughter's failing health and urged her daughter to seek medical treatment.

Evalani Gordon, the girl's grandmother, told an investigator that her granddaughter had been ill for one to 1 ½ weeks and reported that "Madeline was very tired and wanted to be held by mom."

She said three to four days before her granddaughter's death, "the girl only wanted to lie down and do homework from her bed." By Saturday, when the girl was unable to walk or talk, the grandmother, who lives out of state, told Leilani Neumann to take Madeline to a doctor, the document says.

"Leilani Neumann told Evalani Gordon that Madeline would be fine and God would heal her," according to the document.

On Sunday, Gordon spoke with Leilani Neumann and discovered the girl was in a coma. Gordon then contacted a daughter-in-law, Ariel Ness, who lives in California. Ness then called the Marathon County Dispatch Center.

That the parents did not realize their daughter was ill becomes harder and harder to belive, given the additional information.  Marathon County Medical Examiner John Larson, described Madeline as "emaciated", with an appearance of being malnutrition and dehydration.  As a parent, it is almost impossible for me to imagine watching a child waste away and not seeking out medical treatment of some kind.  That they allowed the child to fall into a coma and still not contact medical personnel is not only neglect, but sinful in my opinion.  

Police took from the home various medications, medical books, religious books, diaries, computers.   Additionally, eight Blue Cross HMO cards for the family were removed, although it was not reported whether or not the cards were active.

The three remaining children in the family are currently staying with extended family outside of the area, per an agreement made between the parents and Marathon County Department of Social Services.  They have received medical checkups.

While the outcome of the investigation is yet to be determined, one thing is clear - Madeline's death was preventable.

"Our feeling is it was an unnecessary death," Vergin said. "After everything else is said and done, it was unnecessary for the 11-year-old to die. She could have easily been treated and had a long, loving life here on Earth."