Meghan and Anthony Diffendall are accused of putting their 13-year-old son at risk during repeated medical emergencies, police say.

By Jillian Pikora From Daily Voice

A Pennsylvania couple is accused of endangering their 13-year-old son after repeated medical emergencies tied to his Type 1 diabetes, the Lower Swatara Township Police Department announced on Friday, Nov. 21, according to court documents obtained by Daily Voice.  

Meghan Elizabeth Diffendall, 36, and Anthony Albert Edwin Diffendall, 41, of Middletown, were each charged with Felony Endangering the Welfare of Children after investigators say their son suffered two severe episodes of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) within one week, ultimately requiring ICU-level care at Penn State Children’s Hospital. 

Allegations of Dangerous Lapses in Medical Care

According to the affidavit, the boy—identified as L.D.—has Type 1 diabetes, autism, ADHD, and hypoglycemia unawareness. He had been recently discharged from the hospital on Sept. 10, 2025, following a life-threatening DKA episode. Police say the parents told doctors they used expired insulin after an insurance denial prevented them from obtaining his prescribed long-acting insulin. 

On Sept. 13, 2025, the teen experienced chest pain, vomiting, and abnormal breathing before being rushed back to the hospital, where he was again found to be in severe DKA with elevated potassium and concerning cardiac changes, requiring intensive treatment. 

Doctors flagged concerns about chronic poor oversight of the teen’s diabetes regimen, noting “baseline elevated sugars beyond what is appropriate” and “2 significant hospitalizations in the past week” due to “management of his diabetes or lack thereof.” 

Medical Experts Report ‘Concerns for Medical Neglect’

In a letter cited in the affidavit, Dr. Daniel Hale—Chief of Pediatric Endocrinology & Diabetes—reported the child had three DKA hospitalizations in three months, calling the repeated episodes “a state of insulinopenia, meaning the body does not have enough insulin to survive.” 

Dr. Hale noted:

The boy requires adult supervision with all aspects of diabetes management.

Pharmacy records showed his long-acting insulin had not been filled since January 2025.

He should have been using at least four insulin pens per month, meaning the family should have been “getting at least a box…every month.”

It was “basically a miracle” he had not gone into DKA more often. 

Police also wrote that Anthony Diffendall was the only parent who attended a diabetes education appointment, telling hospital staff that Meghan “was home sleeping,” and that she “likes to sleep during the day and stay awake late into the night.” 

Charges and Court Proceedings

Both parents were arrested on Thursday, Nov. 14, and charged with one felony count each of Endangering the Welfare of Children—Course of Conduct/Risk to Bodily Injury. They were released on ROR bail the same day after their preliminary arraignments before Magisterial District Judge David H. Judy.  

Their preliminary hearings are scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 26, at 2:15 p.m., according to docket sheets.  

Both are represented by attorney Patrick F. Lauer Jr.