Doctor warned Elizabeth Struhs would not be safe at home years before religious sect killed her by withdrawing medicine
Summary
Doctors warned years before that Elizabeth Struhs, an eight-year-old girl with type 1 diabetes, would not be safe at home due to her parents' refusal to provide medical care. Despite this, her family, part of a religious group that rejects medicine, stopped her insulin treatment, which led to her death in 2022. Fourteen members of the group were convicted of manslaughter for her death.Key Facts
- Elizabeth Struhs had type 1 diabetes and needed insulin to survive.
- She died in January 2022 from diabetic ketoacidosis after her parents and others in their religious sect stopped her insulin treatment.
- The religious group, called the Saints, believed in healing through prayer and rejected medical treatment.
- Fourteen adult members of this sect, including Elizabeth’s father, mother, brother, and the sect leader, were found guilty of manslaughter.
- Elizabeth had a similar medical emergency in 2019 and was hospitalized.
- A doctor at Queensland Children’s Hospital warned child safety services that Elizabeth was not safe with her mother due to her mother’s refusal to accept medical treatment.
- Elizabeth was returned home under a special agreement that allowed child safety authorities to help without a full protection order.
- The doctor opposed the decision to send Elizabeth home, given her serious medical needs and risks.
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