Key Takeaways:

• Fourteen members of the Saints sect in Australia were found guilty of manslaughter in the death of eight-year-old Elizabeth Struhs.
• Elizabeth died from diabetic ketoacidosis after her family withheld insulin, believing in divine healing.
• The defendants included her parents and sect leader, with all pleading not guilty.
• The verdict followed a lengthy court trial that highlighted the sect's strict anti-medical beliefs.
• Sentencing for the convicted members is scheduled for February 11, 2025.

In a tragic outcome reflecting the clash between faith and medical necessity, fourteen members of a religious sect known as the Saints have been convicted of manslaughter in the case of eight-year-old Elizabeth Struhs, who died in January 2022 after being denied essential insulin for her diabetes. The court held that the defendants, including Elizabeth's father, Jason Struhs, her mother, Kerrie Struhs, and sect leader Brendan Stevens, were culpable due to their fervent belief that God would heal her, leading them to reject medical treatment entirely.

Elizabeth was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2019 and had previously received insulin. However, during her final days, the group took turns praying and singing while the child suffered, convinced that she would be resurrected. Justice Martin Burns, presiding over the case at the Queensland Supreme Court, stated that the defendants’ actions deprived Elizabeth of the "one thing that would most definitely have kept her alive – insulin," as they continued to trust in divine intervention even after her health drastically declined. Reports indicated that she battled severe symptoms, including vomiting and lethargy, before succumbing to diabetic ketoacidosis.

Despite being aware of her condition, the group, which lacked any formal medical beliefs, refrained from seeking help until 36 hours after her death. According to evidence presented in court, Jason Struhs had attempted to initially manage his daughter's diabetes with insulin but eventually caved to the sect's pressures after he converted to their beliefs in 2021.

All fourteen defendants, ranging in age from 22 to 67, maintained their not guilty pleas throughout the trial, claiming their actions stemmed from their faith. Justice Burns commented on the deeply held beliefs of the sect, who viewed traditional medicine as antithetical to their spiritual convictions. He noted that while the group, described as insular and tightly-knit, had provided an environment of loving care, their ultimate failure was in allowing their faith to overshadow the medical care that Elizabeth desperately needed.

Elizabeth's sister, Jayde, expressed relief at the verdict, stating, “It’s been a long and hard three years. Not a moment has gone by that I haven’t thought about my little sister, Elizabeth.” The consequences of this case will continue to be felt, as sentencing for the convicted members is set for February 11, 2025, where they could face significant prison time.

This tragic case raises pressing questions about the intersection of faith and medical ethics, as the sect’s beliefs led to a catastrophic failure that resulted in the death of an innocent child. The court's ruling serves as a critical reminder of the responsibilities inherent in parental care and the necessity of balancing personal beliefs with the fundamental health needs of children.

For additional information, please visit the full articles on The Guardian and CNN.