On Wednesday, 14 members of the fringe religious group known as "The Saints" were found guilty of manslaughter by the Queensland Supreme Court, linked to the tragic death of eight-year-old Elizabeth Rose Struhs. Elizabeth passed away on January 7, 2022, after her parents, Jason and Kerrie Struhs, along with other sect members, withheld her insulin—critical for managing her diabetes—believing God would heal her.
The court heard poignant details about Elizabeth's final days. Diagnosed with type-1 diabetes in 2019, she was deprived of insulin and medical help for six days as her health deteriorated rapidly. Justice Martin Burns ruled her death was "inevitable" due to the group’s refusal to seek medical assistance, highlighting the extremity of their faith where conventional medicine was dismissed as "witchcraft." Elizabeth's parents were primarily implicated due to their sect's beliefs and practices.
Jason Struhs, 53, and the congregation's leader, Brendan Luke Stevens, 63, faced initial murder charges but were convicted of manslaughter instead, with the judge stating insufficient evidence pointed to their deliberate intent to end Elizabeth’s life. The remaining 12 members, including Elizabeth’s brother, Zachary, also face similar charges. Justice Burns emphasized the group’s isolated religious environment may have clouded their judgment, causing them to believe Elizabeth’s suffering could be alleviated through prayer alone.
The verdict was welcomed by the Struhs family, particularly by Elizabeth’s adult sister, Jayde Struhs, who expressed relief but also criticized the systemic failures leading to her sister's death. "Although we had a good outcome today, I have to acknowledge the system failed to protect Elizabeth in the first place," she stated outside the courtroom. Jayde is also leading civil action against the Queensland government, alleging negligence by the Child Safety Department for not removing Elizabeth from her unsafe home situation.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli described the case as having "rocked the state" and vowed to drive changes within government systems to improve child protection services. "What we need is to make sure through the most harrowing of cases change actually happens," he said. The Premier's remarks reflect increasing public concern over the processes and interventions employed by child protection authorities, especially following prior missed opportunities to safeguard Elizabeth.
This is not the first scrutiny the Struhs family has faced from law enforcement. Elizabeth's mother, Kerrie Struhs, was previously sentenced to 18 months for neglecting Elizabeth's medical needs back in 2019. Significantly, some reports indicate Kerrie's release prior to Elizabeth's death may have been mishandled by authorities, raising alarm bells around her parental supervision.
During the trial, the prosecution illustrated the bizarre circumstances of Elizabeth’s treatment. The parents and sect members maintained prayer vigils around her as she lay dying from diabetic ketoacidosis, convinced divine intervention would occur. After her death, Jason Struhs infamously called emergency services, 36 hours after her passing, simply stating they could not leave her corpse at home. This raised eyebrows and led to broader discussions on the intersections between faith and parental responsibility.
Critically, experts following the trial have observed potential deficiencies within Queensland's laws concerning protective measures for children at risk. Associate Professor Andrew Hemming of the University of Southern Queensland pointed out the reasonable person test for determining reckless indifference to life may require reevaluation. "If you’re not going to convict on this basis, it seems to me you’re really going to have to tighten up the test," he asserted, indicating the need for legal reforms following this tragic incident.
Other key testimonies from the trial revealed the group’s insular nature, isolative practices rooted deep within their religious beliefs, undermined logical decision-making when it came to medical care. The court details painted a vivid picture of desperation and delusion, where actual medical care was perceived as unnecessary and even sacrilegious.
Elizabeth's tragic case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of extremist beliefs when it intersects with parental responsibilities. All 14 members guilty of manslaughter are set to be sentenced on February 11, 2025, with potential penalties including life imprisonment.
Community leaders and advocates continue to push for reforms within child welfare systems to prevent similar tragedies from occurring. The impact of this case goes beyond its immediate tragedy, addressing the need for comprehensive systemic changes to protect Australia’s vulnerable children from neglect and harm.