In a tragic case from Australia, the parents of 8-year-old Elizabeth Struhs have been sentenced to 14 years in prison for manslaughter, following their decision to withhold insulin from her for nearly a week due to their religious beliefs. Elizabeth had been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2019 and needed daily insulin injections to manage her condition. Unfortunately, her parents, Jason and Elizabeth Struhs, are members of a religious group called The Saints, which opposes medical treatment, believing instead that faith would heal their daughter.
Elizabeth died from diabetic ketoacidosis, a severe complication caused by uncontrolled diabetes, in January 2022. The trial revealed that her parents and other sect members prayed for her rather than seeking medical help, with the police only being notified 36 hours after her death. Prosecutors painted a heartbreaking picture of Elizabeth suffering in her final days, with her sister Jayde testifying against their parents.
The sect's leader, Brendan Stevens, received a 13-year sentence and, along with 11 other members, was convicted for their roles in the tragedy. The court's judgment emphasized that, despite the family's affection for Elizabeth, their religious convictions led to fatal neglect. This case highlights the important dialogue around faith, parental rights, and medical care in Australia and beyond.
