Australian coroner moved to tears by the death of a child denied insulin on religious grounds

BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — An Australian coroner was moved to tears Thursday after hearing evidence from the older sister of an 8-year-old girl who died after her insulin was withheld by her parents on religious grounds.

Elizabeth Struhs died of ketoacidosis poisoning in 2022 after her father, Jason Struhs, denied her insulin for her type-1 diabetes.

Elizabeth’s parents, brother and another 11 members of a religious group that rejects modern medicine were convicted last year of Elizabeth’s manslaughter. The 14 members of the congregation, which called itself the “Saints,” had gathered around her to pray as she lay dying.

Elizabeth’s sister, Jayde Struhs, gave an emotional statement Thursday on the final day of an eight-day coroner’s court inquiry in Brisbane into the death. Jayde had fled the family in 2014 at the age of 16, having rejected their religious views. She spoke of a sister who was never allowed experiences that ordinary people enjoy.

“Having Elizabeth in our lives is something we would have loved,” Jayde said. “She would have had everyone helping her manage her diabetes, her health and her learning. She would have learned about Christmas and the joy of being spoiled rotten.”

Through tears, Coroner Ainslie Kirkegaard thanked Jayde for her recollections.

“I think everyone would agree that what you have done this morning is perhaps the hardest job of anyone in this room in the last two weeks,” Kirkegaard told Jayde. “It’s an opportunity for us all to reflect that Elizabeth was and remains infinitely more than the events that have brought us here.”

Kirkegaard will make recommendations to the state government to prevent similar deaths. A date for her findings has not yet been set.

Elizabeth’s mother Kerrie Struhs was imprisoned in 2019 for child neglect after Elizabeth’s undiagnosed diabetes left her close to death.

After her release from prison in December 2021, the mother told police, parole officers and child welfare workers that she remained convinced that God would heal her child without medical help.