Lance Planck, age 6, died from untreated meningitis after his parents, William and Sarah Planck, failed to seek medical treatment for him. He was also found to be malnourished when he died. The Plancks’ religious beliefs were opposed to medical care: they practiced homebirth, believed doctors were agents of the devil, and did not have their children vaccinated. Three of the children were also blind from medical neglect. The Plancks homeschooled Lance and his ten siblings.
The Plancks were charged with reckless homicide, manslaughter, and neglect, but the jury deadlocked in their case after the coroner withdrew his finding of homicide during a contested primary race. The county dismissed the charges, including those involving neglect of the surviving children.
Date: November 30, 1995
Location: Alexandria, Indiana
| Documents: | Date: |
| Boy dies after care delayed by family | 11-30-1995 |
| Couple Indicted In Fatal Neglect Case | 01-10-1996 |
| Children’s healthcare is a legal duty | 1997 |
