Muncie, Ind.
A Muncie mother is filing a lawsuit, two years after the death of her 5-year-old girl.
Amber Huggins said officials at the Southside Church of Nazarene were aware of her daughter’s conditions.
Lauren McConniel died in March 2010, just six days after being taken to the hospital. She died as the result of brain damage and an unexplained ingestion of a lethal dose of salt. A forensic pediatrician testified that Lauren's condition was the result of malnutrition over a period of time. Doctors said Lauren also had several bruises on her body.
McConniel’s mother said the Muncie church saw that the child was being abused and failed to report it to authorities.
The young girl’s stepmother was convicted of her neglect and death.
Four other relatives of the stepmother, as well as the girl’s father, await similar charges.
