Jason and Kerrie Struhs have been sentenced to over 14 years in prison for manslaughter following the tragic death of their 8-year-old daughter, Elizabeth, in 2022. The parents, who were part of a religious group known as the “Saints,” made the decision to withhold their daughter’s insulin, believing that God would heal her.
On Wednesday, February 26, a court in Australia sentenced Jason, 53, and Kerrie, 49, after Elizabeth passed away from diabetic ketoacidosis. Elizabeth was found dead on January 7, 2022, in their home located in Toowoomba, about 80 miles west of Brisbane.
Brendan Luke Stevens, the leader of the “Saints,” also received a prison sentence of 13 years for his role in Elizabeth’s death, along with 11 other group members who were given sentences ranging from six to nine years in prison. Stevens was described by Justice Martin Burns as a “dangerous, highly manipulative” individual, who persuaded Jason to stop his daughter’s insulin treatment. The judge believed that, without Stevens’ influence, Jason might have allowed Elizabeth to receive the necessary medical care.
Justice Burns noted that Stevens tried to distance himself from the decision to withdraw insulin during police interviews, which the judge dismissed as nonsense, stating that Stevens was deeply involved in that crucial choice.
Although Stevens and Jason were found guilty of manslaughter, they were acquitted of murder, as there was no evidence showing they intended for Elizabeth to die.
In addition to the severe sentences for the Struhs parents, several of their relatives and group members were also sentenced for their involvement. Among them, Stevens’ wife Loretta May received a nine-year sentence, while Elizabeth’s brother Zachary was sentenced to six years. Other group members received various sentences, with some facing terms of seven years.
During the sentencing, Justice Burns criticized the group’s beliefs, which led them to reject conventional medical care, likening their actions to a hazardous gamble with a child’s life. He further emphasized that none of the group members could cite any religious text that denied the use of medicine.
Reflecting on the case, Justice Burns pointed out the profound suffering Elizabeth endured and the responsibility the group held in her slow and painful death.
At the time of Elizabeth’s passing, Kerrie was already on parole for a previous offense related to failing to provide essential care for her daughter. Consequently, in addition to her prison sentence, she must serve more than an additional 12 months remaining on her parole. Jason, who was under a suspended sentence for a similar charge, has also been given an additional six months to serve along with his 14-year sentence.
The parents must serve 80 percent of their sentence before being eligible for parole, while the other convicted members of the group can apply for parole after serving half of their time. All 14 members of the “Saints” represented themselves during the trial.
This case highlights the serious consequences of extreme beliefs and the importance of seeking proper medical care for children in need.
