AN EIGHT-year-old girl with diabetes died after her parents withheld life-saving insulin, a court heard. Her mum, dad and other members of the religious cult they belong to allegedly believed "God would heal her". Little Elizabeth Struhs was found dead at her home in Toowoomba, Australia, on January 7, 2022 - after a reported six days without the drug.
Fourteen members of the religious group The Saints, which includes the girl's parents, are accused of praying for her to get better instead of seeking medical attention, The Guardian reports. Elizabeth's dad Jason Richard Struhs is charged with murder, along with 62-year-old Brendan Luke Stevens - another member of the group. Her mum Kerrie Elizabeth Struhs, 49, and brother Zachary Alan Struhs, 21, have been charged with manslaughter, alongside 10 others.
This includes Brendan Luke Stevens' wife Loretta Mary Stevens, 67, and their children Acacia Naree Stevens, 31, Therese Maria Stevens, 37, Sebastian James Stevens, 23, Andrea Louise Stevens, 34, Camellia Claire Stevens, 28, and Alexander Francis Stevens, 26. On Wednesday, the group refused to enter a plea at the start of the trial, where they are appearing without a lawyer, the BBC reports. Crown prosecutor Caroline Marco previously told Brisbane Supreme Court that Elizabeth died from diabetic ketoacidosis (blood glucose levels remain dangerously high) after her insulin medication was withdrawn.
This caused her to "suffer for days" as her health deteriorated, she added. Descri.