A six-year-old girl was taken to hospital “minutes from death” due to neglect about 18 months before she was allegedly murdered by her parents’ religious group, a court has heard.
Eight-year-old Elizabeth Struhs died at her family home in Toowoomba, west of Brisbane, on 7 January 2022, after her parents and 12 others allegedly denied her insulin medication for diabetes for six days in exchange for a prayer.
Brendan Luke Stevens, the 62-year-old leader of the Christian group calling itself “The Saints”, is on trial for murder alongside the girl’s father, Jason Richard Struhs, 52, in the Supreme Court in Brisbane.
Elizabeth’s mother, Kerrie Elizabeth Struhs, 49, and the other 11 members of the congregation are charged with murder.
Queensland Children’s Hospital senior endocrinologist Louise Conwell testified on Tuesday during the fifth day of the judge-only trial before Justice Martin Burns.
Associate Professor Conwell said Elizabeth was airlifted to Brisbane Hospital in July 2019 after her then-undiagnosed Type 1 diabetes left her reliant on doses of adrenaline and a ventilator tube to keep her heart and lungs functioning.
“It was extremely rare… she was the most critically ill child I have ever seen,” Associate Professor Conwell said.
Under questioning from Crown prosecutor Caroline Marco, Associate Professor Conwell said she explained to Jason and Kerrie Struhs about diabetes and that lifelong medication would be needed to keep Elizabeth alive.
Elizabeth Struhs (pictured) was allegedly killed after members of a religious faith healing group withheld her insulin for days in early 2022.
Queensland Children’s Hospital senior endocrinologist Louise Conwell (pictured) said she explained to Elizabeth’s parents that lifelong medication would be needed to keep her alive.
“I explained to him that she was close to death at that point and was still seriously ill… she would need ongoing insulin treatment,” the specialist said.
All 14 defendants are representing themselves and have declined to enter a plea, with Stevens telling the court they had a reasonable belief that God would cure Elizabeth’s diabetes.
Camellia Claire Stevens, 28, one of 11 defendants charged with murder, questioned Associate Professor Conwell, asking if Elizabeth’s recovery in 2019 had been “pretty miraculous”.
“It was a great stroke of luck. She received excellent treatment from the moment she was transferred to Toowoomba Hospital. It’s a testament to her prompt treatment and ongoing care… without that treatment she would have died. She was within minutes of dying,” Associate Professor Conwell said.
Jason Struhs told police he had taken Elizabeth to the hospital against the wishes of Kerri Struhs, who would later be jailed for five months for failing to provide Elizabeth with basic necessities in 2019.
Kerrie Struhs told Detective Sergeant Andrew Lowe that “God can do the seemingly impossible.”
“I firmly believe that God is in our lives. He has promised healing,” Ms Struhs said in a police interview heard by Judge Burns.
Elizabeth Struhs died on January 7, 2022, after her parents and 12 others allegedly denied her diabetes insulin medication for six days in favor of prayer.
Asked what treatment she provided for Elizabeth as her undiagnosed diabetes worsened, Kerrie Struhs said she gave her diapers to wear at school.
Associate Professor Conwell previously testified that Elizabeth had suffered from incontinence as her body tried to get rid of excess sugar.
The other defendants are Loretta Mary Stevens, 67, Andrea Louise Stevens, 34, Acacia Naree Stevens, 31, Therese Maria Stevens, 37, Keita Courtney Martin, 22, Lachlan Stuart Schoenfisch, 34, Samantha Emily Crouch, 26, Zachary Alan Struhs, 21, Sebastian James Stevens, 23, and Alexander Francis Stevens, 26.