A Minnesota father has been sentenced to four years in prison after the tragic death of his 9-year-old daughter, who died from a severe asthma attack. Anthony Modrow, 35, was found guilty of second-degree manslaughter after failing to seek proper medical treatment for his daughter during an asthma emergency. Instead, he opted to treat her with home remedies, including a steam bath, which prosecutors argue contributed to her untimely death.
The Tragic Event
The incident occurred in 2024 when Modrow’s daughter began experiencing a severe asthma attack after attending a sleepover with a friend. According to prosecutors, the child’s condition worsened rapidly, as she became “blue,” wheezed heavily, and was unable to raise her arms. Despite her obvious distress, Modrow and his wife, Rachel Modrow, 36, decided against seeking professional medical help. When the child’s friend’s mother offered to take the girl to the hospital, the Modrows refused, insisting they would handle the situation at home.
The young girl, whose condition continued to deteriorate, was later taken to a family friend’s home, where it was noticed that she was still struggling to breathe, could not raise her arms, and was visibly crying. The friend then observed that Modrow had run a steam bath for the girl, hoping to alleviate the symptoms. However, as her condition worsened, Modrow finally agreed to take his daughter to the hospital. Unfortunately, it was too late. She passed away after arriving at a medical facility.
Lack of Medical Intervention and Failure to Act
Prosecutors emphasized that the Modrows’ refusal to seek immediate medical treatment for their daughter played a significant role in her death. Doctors later explained that the girl’s chances of survival would have been much higher had she received earlier intervention. Pediatric Critical Care specialists specifically noted that a steam bath is not an effective treatment for asthma attacks. They also pointed out that using someone else’s inhaler, as the child had done at the family friend’s house, was unlikely to provide the necessary relief and could have made the situation worse.
Legal Consequences
In January 2025, Modrow pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter, and on Monday, he was sentenced to four years in prison. His sentence includes a minimum term of two-thirds of the total sentence in prison, with the remaining portion to be served under supervised release. The conviction comes after a long legal process in which prosecutors argued that Modrow’s neglectful actions directly led to his daughter’s death.
Reflection and Responsibility
This heartbreaking case underscores the importance of seeking immediate medical attention for children in distress and the life-threatening consequences of delaying proper care. The Modrows’ decision to treat their daughter with home remedies instead of consulting medical professionals had fatal consequences. As Anthony Modrow faces the consequences of his actions, the community is left to reflect on the devastating impact of negligence and the importance of taking swift action during medical emergencies.
