The parents of eight-year-old Elizabeth Struhs, who passed away after being denied insulin for nearly a week, were sentenced to 14 years in prison for manslaughter. Elizabeth was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2019, and medical professionals prescribed daily insulin injections. However, her parents, Jason and Elizabeth Struhs, followers of a religious sect known as The Saints, believed in divine healing over medical intervention. This misguided faith led to Elizabeth’s death from diabetic ketoacidosis in January 2022, at their home in Toowoomba, near Brisbane.
In March, both parents, along with 14 other sect members, faced court proceedings that concluded with manslaughter convictions instead of the initial murder charges. The leader of The Saints, Brendan Stevens, received a 13-year sentence for his role, as the judge described him as a "dangerous, highly manipulative individual." Other sect members received shorter sentences ranging from six to nine years.
Justice Martin Burns delivered a comprehensive verdict, indicating that despite the family's love for Elizabeth, their religious beliefs directly contributed to her death. Prosecutors highlighted the suffering endured by the child, who experienced severe symptoms from her untreated diabetes while the congregation engaged in prayer and worship, neglecting to summon medical help until 36 hours after her demise.
Testimonies revealed a gloomy picture of Elizabeth's final days, as she battled extreme lethargy and loss of consciousness. In court, Jason Struhs clung to the belief that his daughter was merely "asleep," voicing hope for a reunion in the afterlife. In contrast, Stevens defended their actions as a matter of faith and alleged religious persecution.
Elizabeth's sister, Jayde Struhs, estranged from her family for leaving the sect at 16 when she came out as gay, described the organization as possessing strict anti-mainstream healthcare sentiments. The Saints, which comprises about two dozen members from a few families, are not connected to any recognized church in Australia, further isolating their belief system from broader community values. The case raises significant concerns around religious freedom and child welfare in Australia, as authorities and society grapple with the implications of faith-based medical neglect.
