Eight-Year-Old Died After Being Denied Insulin for a Week by Religious Group and Parents in Queensland

Eight-Year-Old Died After Being Denied Insulin for a week by her parents and members of a religious sect known as The Saints. The young girl, who had been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2019, required daily insulin injections to survive.

However, her parents, Jason and Elizabeth Struhs, refused to provide her with medical care, believing that God would heal her. Their actions led to her death in January 2022 at their home in Toowoomba, west of Brisbane.

The tragic case has drawn widespread attention, not only due to the horrifying suffering Elizabeth endured but also because of the large number of people involved. In total, 14 members of The Saints were convicted of manslaughter, including the girl’s parents and the sect’s leader, Brendan Stevens.

The sentencing, which took place at the Supreme Court of Queensland, resulted in Jason and Elizabeth Struhs receiving 14-year prison terms, while Stevens was sentenced to 13 years.

Eleven other members were given jail terms ranging from six to nine years. The case has raised serious questions about religious extremism, medical neglect, and the legal responsibilities of parents and caregivers.

The Circumstances Leading to Elizabeth’s Death

Elizabeth Struhs’ suffering began when her parents decided to stop giving her insulin, despite knowing that it was essential for her survival. Instead of seeking medical help, they turned to prayer and religious rituals, believing that divine intervention would cure her.

Over the course of several days, Elizabeth’s condition worsened. She would have experienced severe symptoms, including vomiting, extreme lethargy, dehydration, and eventually a loss of consciousness.

Despite the evident deterioration in her health, The Saints congregation continued to pray and sing around her as she lay on a mattress, hoping for a miraculous recovery. No effort was made to call a doctor or take her to a hospital, even as it became clear that she was dying.

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When Elizabeth eventually passed away from diabetic ketoacidosis—a life-threatening condition caused by a lack of insulin—her parents and the sect members did not immediately report her death. Instead, they waited 36 hours before notifying authorities.

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During the trial, prosecutor Caroline Marco highlighted the immense suffering Elizabeth endured in her final days. Witnesses described her as an intelligent and loving child who had been completely failed by the very people who were supposed to protect her.

The case shocked the nation, with many struggling to understand how a group of adults could allow a child to die in such a horrific manner.

The Legal Proceedings and Sentencing

The legal case against Elizabeth’s parents and The Saints’ members was one of the most significant child neglect cases in recent Australian history. The trial, which lasted several months, was heard by a judge sitting alone without a jury.

Prosecutors called 60 witnesses to present evidence against the accused. The primary argument was that the group had deliberately denied Elizabeth life-saving medical treatment, leading to her preventable death.

Initially, Jason Struhs and Brendan Stevens were charged with murder. However, after the trial, they were convicted of the lesser charge of manslaughter.

The judge, Justice Martin Burns, delivered a nearly 500-page verdict, outlining the group’s responsibility for Elizabeth’s death. In his ruling, he acknowledged that while it was clear the members of The Saints loved Elizabeth, their extreme beliefs led them to make decisions that directly resulted in her death.

“Due to a singular belief in the healing power of God… she was deprived of the one thing that would most definitely have kept her alive,” Justice Burns stated in his ruling.

Jason and Elizabeth Struhs were each sentenced to 14 years in prison, the longest sentences handed down in the case. The sect leader, Brendan Stevens, was sentenced to 13 years, with the judge describing him as a “dangerous, highly manipulative individual.” The remaining 11 members of the group received prison terms ranging from six to nine years.

Throughout the trial, Stevens defended the group’s actions, claiming that their beliefs were protected under religious freedom. He argued that the trial was an act of “religious persecution” and insisted that The Saints had the right to believe in “the word of God completely.”

However, the court rejected these arguments, making it clear that the right to religious beliefs does not extend to neglecting or endangering a child’s life.

The Saints and Their Extreme Beliefs

The Saints, the religious group at the center of the case, is a small sect with around two dozen members from three families. Unlike mainstream Christian denominations, the group follows an extreme interpretation of faith, rejecting medical treatment in favor of divine healing. Former members have described the sect as highly controlling, with rigid beliefs that dictate every aspect of its members’ lives.

One of the key witnesses in the trial was Elizabeth’s sister, Jayde Struhs, who had left the group years earlier. Jayde revealed that she fled her family home at the age of 16 after coming out as gay, knowing that her beliefs and identity would not be accepted by the sect.

She also detailed The Saints’ opposition to modern healthcare, stating that they believed hospitals and doctors were unnecessary because God alone had the power to heal.

Other witnesses described how the sect rejected mainstream religious traditions, viewing Christmas and Easter as “pagan” festivals. The Saints were not affiliated with any established church in Australia, operating independently with Brendan Stevens as their leader.

Stevens held significant influence over his followers, convincing them that faith alone was enough to cure any illness or affliction. The case of Elizabeth Struhs has reignited debates about the limits of religious freedom and the responsibilities of parents.

While Australia upholds the right to religious beliefs, this case has demonstrated that such rights cannot be used to justify neglect or the denial of essential medical care. The sentencing of The Saints’ members sends a strong message that the law prioritizes the welfare of children over religious extremism.

In the aftermath of the case, child welfare advocates have called for stricter laws to prevent similar tragedies. Many have suggested that medical treatment for life-threatening conditions should be legally mandated, regardless of religious beliefs.

Elizabeth Struhs’ death has left a lasting impact, serving as a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers of faith-based medical neglect.