Elizabeth Struhs, an eight-year-old girl, tragically died at her family home in Rangeville, Toowoomba, west of Brisbane, on 6 or 7 January 2022, due to diabetic ketoacidosis. Her death came after a 17-day period without her essential insulin medication, which her father, Jason Struhs, had stopped administering on 1 January. The case has drawn significant attention due to the involvement of a religious sect known as the Saints, to which Elizabeth's family belonged.
Jason Struhs did not call an ambulance until 36 hours after Elizabeth's death. The Saints, a small religious group in Queensland, believed in praying for Elizabeth's resurrection rather than seeking medical intervention. This belief resulted in Jason Struhs and several other family members being charged with manslaughter. Justice Martin Burns found Jason Struhs, Brendan Stevens, Kerrie Struhs, Zachary Struhs, and 10 other members of the group guilty. The sentencing for all 14 defendants is scheduled for 11 February.
The family had been attending a small home-based church service multiple times a week. Jason Struhs converted to the faith in August 2021 following a verbal altercation with his son Zachary. He described the subsequent four months as the best of his life, finding peace and family love he had not previously experienced.
"The next four months after turning to God had been the best four months of my life because I had peace. I now had family who loved me," Jason Struhs stated.
Despite the dire consequences, Jason Struhs expressed no remorse for his actions. In interviews, he maintained that he believed Elizabeth was in a better place.
"I have to be patient. I have to keep praying. I didn’t sit there and think that I had killed my daughter; I was thinking that she was in a better place now," he mentioned.
Kerrie Struhs, Elizabeth's mother, had a history with the law regarding neglect. In 2019, she was jailed for not providing her daughter with the necessities of life. She viewed Elizabeth's illness as a divine event.
"I believe she would have got better and didn’t need any medical assistance at all," Kerrie Struhs claimed.
Elizabeth had been managing her diabetes with insulin for two-and-a-half years before becoming ill again when taken off her medication. Jason Struhs had previously helped her administer insulin four times daily and took her to doctors. However, he later became convinced that his faith would suffice.
"I gave my little girl what she wanted. And I expect God to look after her," he said.
The court proceedings revealed hours of interviews with the Saints filmed by police at the scene and in the days following Elizabeth's death. Justice Burns acknowledged the psychological pressures within the religious community that may have influenced Jason Struhs's decisions.
"I have no doubt Mr Struhs joined the Church out of fear he would lose his family if he did not," Justice Martin Burns remarked.
Jason Struhs's conversion to the Saints' faith and subsequent actions highlight the complex interplay between personal belief systems and legal responsibilities. His statements during interviews emphasized his belief that Elizabeth's death served a higher purpose.
"I see this as simply God is needing to show people, give people a chance to see that God is still here. And we are the ones that will declare it faithfully," Kerrie Struhs expressed.
The case raises questions about the balance between religious freedom and parental responsibility, particularly when a child's life is at risk. The community remains divided over whether faith or medicine should take precedence in such situations.