Fourteen members of an Australian religious group known as the Saints, including the parents of eight-year-old Elizabeth Struhs, have been convicted of manslaughter for withholding her insulin treatment, leading to her tragic death. Elizabeth died at her family's home on January 7, 2022, after enduring six days without the necessary medication to manage her type-1 diabetes. This heart-wrenching case sheds light on the consequences of extreme religious beliefs and the failure of the system to protect vulnerable children.
On January 31, 2025, the Supreme Court of Queensland delivered its verdict after months of trial, which included testimony from 60 witnesses about the dire conditions leading to Elizabeth's death. Despite her parents and every member of the church claiming to have loved her, Justice Martin Burns made clear the devastating impact of their actions. "It cannot be doubted, Elizabeth was lovingly cared for... she was deprived of the one thing...to keep her alive," remarked Burns, highlighting their misguided belief in divine healing over medical intervention.
During the trial, evidence revealed the Saints treated conventional medicine as ‘witchcraft,’ believing instead in the power of prayer. Elizabeth’s father, Jason Struhs, who converted to the congregation later than his wife, Kerrie Struhs, had initially supported medical care for his daughter. Yet, under pressure from the Saints, he opted to stop her insulin treatment entirely. While he took the stand, he recalled, "Elizabeth is only sleeping, and I will see her again," fervently supporting his faith-based decision.
Prosecutors painted a picture of Elizabeth’s suffering as she lay on a mattress at home, visibly deteriorated and eventually unresponsive. The delay to seek medical help only compounded the tragedy, as authorities were only notified about her condition 36 hours after her death. The Saints engaged in prayers during this time, believing Elizabeth could be resurrected, characteristic of their extreme faith practices.
Elizabeth's sister, Jayde Struhs, who distanced herself from the group as she came to terms with her identity, openly criticized the failure of authorities to remove Elizabeth from harm. Speaking outside the court, she stated, "We are only here today because more wasn't done sooner to protect her or remove her from...unsafe situation." Her sentiments echo the widespread concern about the efficacy of child protection systems.
During the trial, it emerged this tragedy was not new. Elizabeth had previously been hospitalized for severe complications due to her undiagnosed diabetes at the age of six, which nearly cost her life. Back then, both parents faced consequences for their neglect. Kerrie Struhs was jailed for failing to provide medical care, yet upon release, the couple returned to their dangerous practices, believing wholly in their faith instead of modern medicine.
The Saints, who comprised approximately two dozen people from three families, were relatively unknown to the public before this case brought them to light. Their leader, Brendan Stevens, defended the group's actions as faith-based, asserting they had the right to practice their beliefs without interference, proclaiming, "We are within our rights to believe...the word of God completely as we do." This claim of religious freedom, juxtaposed with the tragic outcome of Elizabeth's life, complicates discussions about faith and responsibility.
Justice Burns stated the evidence did not support murder charges, leading to the lesser verdict of manslaughter. All fourteen defendants, who were aged between 22 and 67, represented themselves and pleaded not guilty, denying any intention to harm Elizabeth. The breadth of their collective culpability, tied to their religious convictions, raises uncomfortable questions about the limits of parental rights when faith directly leads to neglect and harm.
Following the conviction, the Queensland government announced plans for a formal coronial inquest to thoroughly investigate the failures of the child safety system and to identify reforms to prevent such tragedies from occurring. Premier David Crisafulli expressed his commitment to ensuring improvements are made, aiming to safeguard the welfare of children caught in religious obfuscation.
Statements from child protection advocates have echoed the urgency for reform, noting, "No child should ever have to experience the pain this little girl endured." The case served as a crucible for evaluating the intersection of religious belief, parental authority, and child safety, with many calling for comprehensive systemic changes.
The convictions of the Saints members highlight the dire consequences of rejecting medical treatment for religious reasons and stress the importance of protecting children from such harmful ideologies. The group is due to be sentenced next month, as the legal system grapples with the broader ramifications of this tragic case. While Elizabeth Struhs’ story is one of deep sorrow, it also signals potential reform for the futures of countless other children.