Local prosecutors are accusing an Australian eight-year-old girl's parents and a religious organization of causing her death due to insulin insufficiency. The charges against
Jason and
Kerrie Struhs are manslaughter and murder, respectively.
The
BBC reports that on January 7, 2022, their daughter
Elizabeth was discovered dead inside a Toowoomba, Australia, home. Elizabeth reportedly had
Type 1 diabetes, according to a number of publications, including
The Guardian and
ABC (Australian Broadcast Corporation). Her body wasn't making enough insulin, which led to a complication known as diabetic ketoacidosis, which is what killed her.
Why The Parents Denied Their Daughter Insulin?
Her parents are accused of withholding her medication for days prior to her death, allegedly with the support of other parishioners and their religious leader. The couple allegedly thought that "God" and prayers would heal the child instead.
The parents' judge-only trial at the Queensland Supreme Court reportedly started on July 10. They are not the only ones being tried, though.
Another charge of murder by reckless indifference is being brought against Brendan Stevens, 62. Stevens is the leader of the "Saints," an Australian religious sect. Jason Struhs, Elizabeth's brother, 21, and ten other members of the religious community are accused of manslaughter.
According to prosecutor Caroline Marco, the Saints had faith that God would either cure Elizabeth's diabetes or bring her back to life. Everyone concerned declined to call for an ambulance or receive medical attention for the eight-year-old due to their "extreme" beliefs.
On the first day of court, none of the fourteen defendants entered a plea. Thus, the judge stipulated that pleas of "not guilty" must be entered. In court, each defendant is defending themselves.
Doctor Testifies, Warning The Parents "Daughter Would Die"
Elizabeth was admitted to the hospital two years prior to her death. On July 17, 2019, the Queensland Children's Hospital admitted her due to "severe" diabetic ketoacidosis. Because of her illness, Elizabeth was abnormally thin and weak at the time, weighing only 28 pounds.
When the girl arrived at the hospital in 2019, Dr. Louise Conwell informed the judge during her testimony that she was "minutes from death." Elizabeth almost recovered completely after her treatment.
Nevertheless, despite a call from Dr. Conwell to visit her child in the hospital, Kerrie, her mother, never did. Elizabeth's mother "did not believe" the treatment plan, even though the doctor had stated that Elizabeth needed insulin. Recall that Kerrie served a five-month jail sentence for the same insulin incident in 2019.
Other accounts state that just a few days prior to their daughter's passing, Jason converted to the Saints, the church of his wife. On January 3, the child's parents made the decision to cease insulin administration due to the church's religious convictions.
He was aware, like his wife, of Type 1 diabetes and the critical role insulin plays in his daughter's survival. Jason attended at least nine education sessions in 2019 that addressed the illness and its treatment, according to the hospital's nursing manager's testimony.
The Guardian reports that the trial is anticipated to last 11 weeks. This narrative is still evolving.
