Fourteen members of an Australian religious group have been found guilty of the manslaughter of an eight-year-old diabetic girl named Elizabeth Struhs, who tragically died at home in 2022 due to diabetic ketoacidosis.
The trial at the Supreme Court of Queensland revealed that the group, referred to as the Saints, opposed medical intervention for Elizabeth in the belief that God would cure her, leading to her untimely death. Despite their love and care for Elizabeth, the group's actions, including the withholding of insulin, were deemed responsible for her passing.
The court proceedings lasted several months, where it was detailed how Elizabeth's health deteriorated as the congregation prayed for her recovery in Toowoomba, near Brisbane. Tragically, no medical assistance was sought, and authorities were only notified after 36 hours, under the mistaken belief that Elizabeth could be revived.
The defendants, aged between 22 and 67, declined legal representation and refrained from entering pleas, leading the court to enter not guilty pleas on their behalf. The prosecution argued that Jason Struhs, Elizabeth's father, made the decision to withhold insulin with the support of some group members, ultimately leading to the verdict of manslaughter for all individuals involved.
While Jayde Struhs, Elizabeth's sister, expressed satisfaction with the verdict, she criticized the system for not acting sooner to protect her sister. The group, known for holding radical beliefs against mainstream healthcare, is under pending sentencing.
According to Bernard Doherty, an expert in religious movements, the Saints originated from a breakaway group associated with the Revival Centres International church in Brisbane, forming their church, where they congregated for religious services.