According to prosecutors, a Minnesota father is facing prison for causing the death of his 9-year-old daughter by refusing to take her to the hospital during a severe asthma attack, instead treating the child with a steam bath and “home remedies” instead.
Anthony Modrow, 35, was sentenced on Monday to four years in prison for second-degree manslaughter in connection with his daughter’s death in 2024, according to court documents filed by the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office. He pleaded guilty in January.
“This sentence consists of a minimum term of imprisonment equal to two-thirds of the total executed sentence, and a maximum supervised release term equal to one-third of the total executed sentence,” according to Modrow’s sentencing order.
He and his wife, Rachel Modrow, 36, of Hopkins, didn’t mind that their daughter “was blue,” wheezing heavily and unable to raise her arms during the asthma attack, which began at a sleepover with a friend, according to prosecutors. They advised the friend’s mother to avoid going to the hospital and instead treat the girl at home.
“[The friend’s mom] drove victim home and told the defendants that she could take victim to a doctor, but the defendants refused the offer,” according to Modrow’s lawsuit. “[The friend’s mom] reported that victim was wheezing, breathing heavily, and asked to be taken to a doctor,” according to the statement.
Prosecutors described how a family friend came over to check on them after being contacted by the girl’s aunt. They later took the child to a nearby medical facility.
“He noticed victim’s skin was blue, she could not raise her arms, and she was crying,” according to the report. “[Anthony Modrow] ran victim a steam bath and eventually, according to [the friend], he insisted that victim needed to go to the hospital.”
Prosecutors noted that while at the friend’s house, Modrow’s daughter used her grandmother’s inhaler because her parents did not have one for her.
“Multiple doctors were consulted, including a Pediatric Critical Care doctor, who stated that victim would have had a much better chance to survive with earlier medical intervention and explained how important early medical intervention is for asthma,” according to the claim. “The doctor mentioned that a steam bath is not a recognized treatment for asthma.” The doctor emphasized the importance of an asthma patient having a rescue inhaler and cautioned that using another person’s inhaler may be ineffective because it may not contain the correct medication. Another medical professional who treated the victim in the hospital stated, “The sooner you get medical treatment, the better the outcome.”
Anthony Modorw was supposed to go on trial in late January before accepting his plea deal on January 27, according to court records.
That month, Rachel Modrow received a 41-month prison sentence. She pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter in October.
