BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — Fourteen members of an Australian religious group were found guilty of manslaughter on January 29, 2025, in connection with the death of 8-year-old Elizabeth Rose Struhs. The child died on January 7, 2022, after being denied her necessary diabetes medication for six days.
- Parents and congregation members found guilty
- 8-year-old girl died from untreated diabetes
- Manslaughter charges instead of murder
- Sentencing scheduled for February 11
- Victim's sister criticizes systemic failures
- Defendants believed in divine healing powers
The group included the victim’s father, Jason Richard Struhs, and the leader of their congregation, Brendan Luke Stevens. All 14 defendants have been remanded in custody and are scheduled for sentencing on February 11, facing potential life sentences.
The case revolves around the tragic death of Elizabeth Rose Struhs, who passed away due to complications from type-1 diabetes after her family withheld insulin shots. The Queensland Supreme Court found that the parents and other members of the congregation showed a severe lack of care, despite having a belief that divine healing could save her. The court emphasized that the defendants acted with an egregious departure from the standard of care expected in such situations.
Key details of the case include:
- Elizabeth died on January 7, 2022, after six days without insulin.
- The defendants included her father, mother, and 12 other congregation members.
- All 14 individuals were found guilty of manslaughter, with no one escaping conviction.
During the trial, the defense argued that they believed God would heal Elizabeth. However, the judge noted that the prosecution did not sufficiently prove that the father and Stevens acted with reckless indifference to life, leading to the manslaughter verdict instead of murder. The victim’s sister expressed relief at the verdict but criticized the system for failing to protect Elizabeth earlier.
The conviction of the 14 members of the religious group underscores the serious legal and moral responsibilities parents and guardians hold in ensuring the health and safety of their children. The case has sparked discussions about the intersection of faith and medical care, particularly regarding the protection of vulnerable individuals in similar situations.
