The older sister of a young girl allegedly left to die by members of her faith-healing religious circle when they took away her insulin, has lodged a lawsuit against the Queensland Government in the state’s Supreme Court.
Jayde Struhs is the oldest child of Jason Richard Struhs and Kerrie Elizabeth Struhs, who are accused of causing the death of their eight-year-old daughter Elizabeth in Rangeville in early 2022.
The child had Type 1 diabetes was allegedly left to suffer for days after her parents and members of the sect – known as The Saints – withdrew her lifesaving insulin.
Jayde Struhs, the older sister of Elizabeth Struhs (centre) has lodged a lawsuit against the Queensland State Government. Picture: Supplied
Mr and Ms Struhs and a dozen other members of The Saints are alleged to have prayed for God to heal the girl instead of seeking medical attention, despite her condition deteriorating until her death between January 6-7, 2022.
A verdict following the conclusion of the group’s judge-only Supreme Court trial is currently pending. All 14 have pleaded not guilty to their respective charges.
But Jayde Struhs – Elizabeth’s older sister, who left her family home at age 16 and is not accused of any wrongdoing over Elizabeth’s death – has lodged a Supreme Court application to commence proceedings against the State Government.
Details of the application are not able to be obtained due to recent changes to court laws, which no longer permit access to documents not read or relied on in open court.
Ms Struhs and her representatives Shine Lawyers Helensvale declined to comment.
Elizabeth Struhs died at her family’s Rangeville home after members of her faith-healing religious circle allegedly withdrew her insulin in early 2022. Picture: Supplied
Jayde Struhs is Elizabeth’s older sister and was called to give evidence in the criminal trial of her parents Jason and Kerrie Struhs and a dozen others who are accused of causing Elizabeth’s death. Picture: NewsWire / Glenn Campbell
The new legal action follows a months-long Supreme Court trial of Jason and Kerrie Struhs over Elizabeth’s death.
Jason Struhs and Brendan Luke Stevens – the leader of The Saints – are both charged with murder.
Kerrie Struhs and 11 others – Zachary Alan Struhs, Loretta Mary Stevens, Acacia Naree Stevens, Therese Maria Stevens, Sebastian James Stevens, Andrea Louise Stevens, Camellia Claire Stevens, Alexander Francis Stevens, Lachlan Stuart Schoenfisch, Samantha Emily Schoenfisch and Keita Courtney Martin – are charged with manslaughter.
Throughout the trial, the Crown alleged Jason Struhs made the decision to limit and ultimately stop his daughter’s insulin as a test of his newly-minted faith in God.
Members of The Saints – who hold extreme Christian beliefs, including the shunning of modern medicine – are alleged to have encouraged him to remain steadfast in his decision to stop the drug, despite Elizabeth’s condition deteriorating.
Jason Richard Struhs, Elizabeth’s father, is charged with his daughter’s murder. Picture: Supplied
Kerrie Elizabeth Struhs is charged with her daughter’s manslaughter. Picture: Supplied
Jayde Struhs was called to give evidence during the trial, where she revealed what life was like growing up in The Saints.
She said “pagan” holidays like Christmas and Easter were not celebrated and members were encouraged to “spread the word of God” in places like schools.
Jayde said she and her siblings never attended the doctor or dentist, or took medication in line with the group’s beliefs.
The only exception was when Jason Struhs took his children to be vaccinated.
Jayde said she came out as gay at age 16 – which triggered her to leave the home out of concern for her safety.
The court was told homosexuality was viewed by The Saints as an “abomination” and Jayde was taught being gay was “not OK”.
“(Brendan said) I need to follow God and I could lose my connection with him,” Jayde said during her evidence.
All 14 people accused of causing Elizabeth’s death have pleaded not guilty to their charges. A Supreme Court verdict is yet to be delivered. Picture: Court Sketch / NewsWire
“If I didn’t, then a lot of bad things would happen to me if I followed that.
“He was reading scriptures about why I can’t be gay … (said) I needed to turn back to God and find him because I was straying.”
Jayde said the pressure from her mother and the church became “too much” for her.
“I kind of crumbled a little,” she said.
“I was so scared. I was scared of what was going to happen to me if I didn’t accept myself. It was talked about that I would endure hell forever.”