The mother of an 11-year-old girl who died of undiagnosed diabetes as the family prayed for her to get better has testified that she believes sickness is caused by sin and can be cured by God.

Leilani Neumann told the jury in her husband's trial in Wausau, Wisconsin, on Tuesday she thought her daughter's illness in March last year was a test of her religious faith and she didn't take the girl to a doctor because that would have been "complete disobedience to what we believe".

Dale Neumann, 47, is charged with second-degree reckless homicide in the death of his daughter, Madeline Neumann, called Kara by her parents.



His wife was convicted of the same charge and faces up to 25 years in prison when sentenced on October 6.

US prosecutors contend Dale Neumann recklessly killed the youngest of his four children by ignoring her deteriorating health. They claim Neumann had a legal duty to take her to a doctor.