In January 2022, eight-year-old Elizabeth Struhs, who had type 1 diabetes, died in Toowoomba, Australia, after her parents and members of their religious group, known as “The Saints,” withheld her insulin treatment, choosing prayer over medical intervention.
Elizabeth’s parents, Jason and Kerrie Struhs, believed that ceasing her insulin would demonstrate their faith in divine healing. Despite her deteriorating condition, they, along with other group members, prayed for her recovery and, after her death, continued to pray for her resurrection for more than a day before notifying authorities.
In a recent trial, fourteen members of “The Saints,” including Elizabeth’s parents and the group’s leader, Brendan Stevens, were found guilty of manslaughter. The court heard that the group discouraged medical treatment, relying solely on faith for healing. Justice Martin Burns emphasized that, regardless of their beliefs, their actions were legally and morally indefensible.
This case highlights the complex intersection of religious conviction and legal responsibility, underscoring the limits of religious freedom when it endangers the lives of vulnerable individuals.
