In brief
Elizabeth Rose Struhs, a diabetic girl, died after her parents and 12 sect members withheld insulin, believing in faith healing. Convictions were handed down but the evidence fell short of murder charges.
In a gut-wrenching case in Australia, the parents of 8-year-old Elizabeth Rose Struhs and 12 members of their religious sect have been convicted of manslaughter. The court found that they were responsible for Elizabeth's death in January 2022 after they denied her the insulin necessary for her Type 1 diabetes treatment. As her health deteriorated, rather than seeking medical assistance, the sect gathered to pray and sing around her.The father, Jason Struhs, and sect leader Brendan Stevens were initially charged with murder, but the court determined there wasn't sufficient evidence to show they intended to cause her death. Both men defended themselves, arguing that their actions were based on their belief in divine healing and that the case was religious persecution.This sect, based in Queensland, Australia, held strong convictions against modern medicine, with some members equating it to witchcraft. Jason Struhs, who has seven other children, expressed his belief throughout the trial that Elizabeth could be brought back to life through prayer. The tragedy has raised significant concerns about the implications of faith in medical care and the protection of vulnerable individuals.
