Police reveal Elizabeth Struhs' tragic last days
Elizabeth Struhs' parents have faced court over the alleged murder of their daughter, after they withheld vital medication in the belief God would save their eight-year-old child.
Elizabeth was a diabetic, and it has been alleged that her parents, Kerrie and Jason, refused to administer her life-saving insulin that she required daily.
In January this year, police allege her parents, along with 12 others from the family's religious sect, intentionally stopped Elizabeth's medication which led to a near week-long, painful death.
"They believe that every other religion is second and wrong," Elizabeth's older sister, Jayde Struhs, told A Current Affair earlier this year.
Kerrie and Jason Struhs, along with members of the Stevens and Schoenfisch families, are accused of being part of a cult-like church in Toowoomba, referring to themselves as The Saints.
The court heard that the group believe solely in the healing power of God and reject any medical intervention.
As such, 14 members of the group, including Elizabeth's parents, are being charged with her murder.
All 14 of the accused have rejected any legal assistance and are representing themselves through the trial.
Elizabeth's father Jason was the first to front court for a committal hearing, with police prosecutor Sergeant Alister Windsor telling the court, "Mr Struhs had the requisite knowledge to know that the withholding of diabetic treatment would result in pain and suffering to Elizabeth".
It is alleged Elizabeth's insulin was stopped on January 3rd, before she died on January 7th.
"Mr Struhs intentionally withheld the insulin," Windsor said.
More than 100 statements from witnesses, CCTV, police body camera vision and medical reports form the brief of evidence, detailing how the group allegedly prayed over Elizabeth rather than seek help.
Magistrate Clare Kelly had the task of looking through it all, to decide if Mr Struhs would stand trial.
Kelly told the court last Tuesday: "The statement by Mr Struhs goes into a significant level of detail about his thought processes and ultimately the basis for the decision he took to stop providing the life-saving medication to Elizabeth."
"It is contended that Mr Struhs failed to provide the insulin to Elizabeth, he clearly knew that it was probable death would result from him ceasing to administer insulin to Elizabeth."
While Jason was the first to show any emotion in court over his daughter's death, his wife Kerrie sat emotionless in a separate hearing, as the court heard she actively supported and encouraged the cessation of Elizabeth's insulin.
Magistrate Kay Philipson told the court, "The defendant's own statement goes into detail about her involvement in the religious group."
"She goes into detail about not wanting to be part of the medications given to Elizabeth."
Fellow members of The Saints Andrea Stevens and her mother Loretta Stevens also fronted court facing murder charges, as the court heard they allegedly aided Elizabeth's parents in stopping the insulin, showing reckless indifference to human life.
All will now face trial for murder.
Image credits: A Current Affair