Parents and Sect Members Convicted for Withholding Lifesaving Insulin, Relying Solely on Prayer
Fourteen members of a small religious sect in Australia have been found guilty of the manslaughter of 8-year-old Elizabeth Struhs, who tragically died after they withheld the insulin necessary to treat her Type-1 diabetes. The court found that the group chose prayer and song over medical intervention, driven by their unwavering belief in divine healing.
The harrowing case concluded after a nine-week, judge-only trial at Brisbane’s Supreme Court, which involved testimony from 60 witnesses and the review of hundreds of exhibits. Justice Martin Burns, in delivering the verdict, described Elizabeth’s death as “inevitable” due to the sect’s collective decision to deny her the life-saving treatment she desperately needed.

A Faith-Based Tragedy
Elizabeth, described as a “vibrant, happy child,” was diagnosed with Type-1 diabetes in 2019. Despite her condition, she had lived a relatively normal life with the help of regular insulin injections. However, in early January 2022, the sect, including Elizabeth’s parents, Kerrie and Jason Struhs, and its spiritual leader Brendan Stevens, made the fateful decision to stop administering insulin after declaring that God had healed her.
The court heard that on January 2, 2022, Jason Struhs told the group during a church meeting that Elizabeth was cured of her diabetes. She received her final dose of insulin that evening. The next morning, her glucose levels appeared normal, reinforcing the group’s belief in divine intervention. Jason reportedly told Elizabeth to put away her glucometer, a device used to measure blood sugar levels, declaring she no longer needed it.
Over the following days, Elizabeth’s condition deteriorated rapidly. She became weak, restless, and began vomiting. Despite these clear signs of a medical emergency, the group continued to rely solely on prayer and spiritual songs, steadfast in their belief that “God shall prevail.”

Decline and Death
As Elizabeth’s condition worsened, church members took turns monitoring her, sending text updates to each other. Stevens repeatedly reassured the parents that their faith would be rewarded, despite the child’s evident suffering.
On January 7, Elizabeth stopped breathing. Even then, the group gathered around her lifeless body, singing and praying for her resurrection. One text message between group members read: “Elizabeth does not appear to be breathing apparently, but we will see a victory very soon. God can do anything!”
It was only 36 hours after her death that Jason Struhs finally contacted emergency services, telling the group that although he still believed God would raise Elizabeth, they could not keep a corpse in the house any longer.
A Shocking Scene
When police arrived at the family’s home in Toowoomba, west of Brisbane, they found a crime scene and about 20 church members gathered in the front yard, singing and praying. The sect, which was largely composed of three families, operated independently of any mainstream religious denomination.
The court heard that the group followed a literal interpretation of the Bible and believed that through prayer, a person could receive the Holy Spirit and even speak in tongues. Central to their faith was the belief in divine healing, which led them to reject conventional medicine, dismissing it as “witchcraft.”
The Verdict
Justice Burns found all 14 defendants guilty of manslaughter. He noted that while Elizabeth had been lovingly cared for and adored by the group, their “singular belief in the healing power of God” left no room for medical treatment, ultimately leading to her death from diabetic ketoacidosis — a severe complication caused by the lack of insulin.
Both Jason Struhs and Brendan Stevens were originally charged with murder by reckless indifference. However, the judge convicted them of the lesser charge of manslaughter, stating there was insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that they knew Elizabeth would likely die.

Public and Family Reactions
Elizabeth’s older sister, Jayde Struhs, spoke to reporters outside the court, expressing relief at the verdict. “It’s been a long and hard three years. Not a moment has gone by that I haven’t thought about my little sister, Elizabeth,” she said, visibly emotional.
The case has sparked widespread public debate about the balance between religious freedom and the duty to protect children’s welfare. Many have called for stricter measures to prevent similar tragedies, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing medical care over spiritual beliefs in life-threatening situations.
Sentencing Awaited
All 14 convicted members are due to be sentenced on February 11. Legal experts suggest that the case serves as a grim reminder of the consequences of faith taken to dangerous extremes and highlights the need for greater awareness and intervention in cases involving vulnerable children.
Justice Burns concluded his ruling by emphasizing the preventable nature of Elizabeth’s death, stating that the one thing that could have saved her life — insulin — was tragically withheld due to misguided faith.