A mother from Washington is facing manslaughter charges for allegedly delaying necessary medical treatment for her child with diabetes.
Her 10-year-old daughter, who had type 1 diabetes, fell into a coma during a family road trip. Reports indicate that the child, referred to as TG in legal documents, was already deceased upon reaching the hospital. Investigators suggest that her death resulted from prolonged diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
Prosecutors argue that McAllister, 42, “failed to provide life-saving care to a child with type 1 diabetes” despite having received appropriate training about the risks associated with untreated high blood sugar.
McAllister was arrested on November 4 following an inquiry by the Kirkland Police Department. She has pleaded not guilty and is currently held at the King County Correctional Facility, with bail set at $1 million.
The investigation began in July when the child was transported to a hospital in Tacoma after the family trip.
According to the indictment, McAllister and her family left their home on July 17, heading toward the Oregon-California border. The day prior, the girl’s insulin pump indicated “high” blood sugar levels, and she was vomiting—an alarming sign of DKA.
Experts note that DKA can develop suddenly, and vomiting often signals that the condition is worsening quickly.
The family traveled to Northern California then decided to return, embarking on a 714-mile drive to reach a Tacoma hospital.
On July 18, McAllister reportedly sent a text to her mother, who works at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital, saying her daughter was in DKA and had her pump out while on their way to California.
If an insulin pump’s tube becomes dislodged, it can hinder insulin delivery, leading to DKA.
By the time the girl reached the hospital later that day, she had already been deceased for hours, according to reports.
The indictment stated that “rigor mortis had set in” and that the girl had been found lifeless in the backseat of the car, alongside her brother and sister.
Throughout the nine-hour journey home, McAllister did not call 911 and drove past more than two dozen hospitals, documents reveal.
In her statement to police, she claimed she didn’t seek urgent help due to a parenting agreement that allegedly restricted her from taking the girl out of state, expressing uncertainty about potential consequences.
Additionally, McAllister mentioned her daughter forgot to take a ketone test kit on the trip, which is critical for monitoring DKA, a dangerous condition that requires prompt medical attention.
DKA occurs when the body lacks sufficient insulin, leading to the breakdown of fat for energy and producing harmful ketone bodies in the bloodstream. This can result in severe dehydration and can be fatal without immediate treatment.
The child had been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2018 and had been hospitalized multiple times for DKA. In fact, during a hospital visit in May, McAllister reportedly received retraining on how to manage DKA and use insulin pumps effectively.
Kirkland Police Chief Mike St. Jean described the investigation as “complex and emotionally difficult,” emphasizing the importance of collaboration between detectives, medical professionals, and prosecutors to uncover the circumstances surrounding the child’s death. He reaffirmed their commitment to protecting vulnerable children within the community.
