The parents of an insulin-recovered girl have received long-term prisoners about the 'slow and painful' death of the eight-year-old after a judge had closed their church group.
Elizabeth Rose Struhs died in January 2022 in the house of her family west of Brisbane after her parents and brother gave her a wake with other members of the religious group 'The Saints' and her life -saving insulin denied.
The father of Elizabeth, Jason Richard Struhs, 53, and mother Kerrie Elizabeth Struhs, 49, each received a 14 -year -old term when they were convicted of manslaughter in the Supreme Court of Brisbane on Wednesday, along with 12 other group members.
The 'most important instigator', Saints leader Brendan Stevens, received 13 years, with Justice Martin Burns called him a 'very dangerous individual'.
Each has been named a serious violent perpetrator and must serve 80 percent of their prison sentence.
Elizabeth's brother Zachary Alan Struhs, 22, received six years with the other members of the church group – including the wife of Stevens and five children – sentenced to conditions ranging from six to nine years.
Justice Burns focused on the church group about the 'deeply disturbing' death of the girl and said they let their faith blind them as Elizabeth days ago.
Elizabeth died lying on a mattress in the living room after six days without her prescribed insulin for type-1 diabetes.
Eight -year -old Elizabeth Rose Struhs (photo) died at home in January 2022
Elizabeth's mother Kerrie Struhs was sentenced on Wednesday to 14 years in prison
Jason Struhs was also imprisoned about the death of his daughter on Wednesday
Justice Burns said that each of the church members encouraged Jason Struhs to stop the insulin of his daughter to meet their own religious beliefs.
“I have no other conclusion that you have allowed your faith to blind yourself at the real plight Elizabeth, suffered a slow and painful death and you are all somehow responsible,” Justice Burns said Wednesday to the court.
He said that the group took the life of a lively, happy child that should have enjoyed a full life. “
“Elizabeth's death was and remains deeply disturbing, even if it was no other reason that it was so complete and easy to prevent,” said Justice Burns.
'Each of you was concerned with a kind of spiritual gamble with the life of a child, a child who claims to love.
“The arrogance of your belief in that respect was and remains astonishing.”
He condemned them because of their lack of regret and inability to wonder whether the preaching of leader Stevens could be wrong, which ultimately led to the death of an innocent child.
Justice Burns said it was unlikely that one of the members would be rehabilitated during their time in prison, nor would the hefty penalties act as a deterrent.
Elizabeth (photo) died lying on a mattress in the living room after six days without her prescribed insulin for type-1 diabetes
Cult leader leader Brendan Stevens (depicted on the right was interviewed by the police) was imprisoned for 13 years. Justice Martin Burns described him as a 'very dangerous individual'
The 14 church group members were found guilty on January 31 after their nine weeks, only right 2024 process.
During the process they acted on their religious beliefs, the members claimed, including rejecting modern medicine as 'witchcraft'.
Members told the police that they welcomed the death of Elizabeth, because it was an opportunity for God to revive her and to show divine power to non-believers.
Test witnesses described the saints as a 'cult' and accused them of brainwashing Jason Struhs and others.
Jason Struhs signed a diabetes management plan for his daughter after his wife was imprisoned in July 2021 because he had not given Elizabeth the need for life.
After his wife returned on December 16, 2021, he stopped giving her fast -working insulin on New Year's Day her fast -working insulin and later stopped her remaining doses with slow release.
Jayde Struhs (depicted on the left with her little sister Elizabeth) welcomed Wednesday's convictions
Six days later, the Saints did not find Elizabeth reacting and died.
When the police responded to her father's triple zero call, who was done about 36 hours later, the Saints members sing on religious songs.
Therese Maria Stevens, 37, Sebastian James Stevens, 24, Loretta Mary Stevens, 67, Camellia Claire Stevens, 29, Andrea Louise Stevens, 35, Alexander Francis Stevens, 26, Acacia Nare Stevens, 32, Samantha Emily Schoenfisch, 26, Lachlan Stuartart Shoe, 34, and Keita Courtney Martin, 24 were the other members convicted.
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