Fourteen members of an Australian cult were sentenced for the death of an 8-year-old girl after they denied her insulin at the urging of their leader.
Elizabeth Struhs death had "everything to do" with the "highly manipulative" leader of the religious group known at The Saints the judge in the case said, according to ABC.
The diabetic girl died in 2022 because of the decision to withhold insulin. Among those sentenced were the girl's parents, Jason and Kerrie Struhs, who each received 14 years for manslaughter, ABC reported.
The leader of the group, Brendan Luke Stevens, received 13 years.
"I think it is quite likely that had you not encouraged Jason Struhs on that Tuesday afternoon, to keep believing in your brand of faith, he would have taken Elizabeth to hospital," Justice Martin Burns said, according to ABC. Eleven other members of the cult were sentenced to 6 to 9 years in prison.
"Elizabeth suffered a slow and painful death, and you are all in one way or another responsible," Burns said, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
The judge said the group had contempt for modern medicine, with several members referring it to witchcraft. "Each of you knew Elizabeth almost died in 2019 ... You knew both Jason and Kerrie Struhs owed a duty under the law to provide Elizabeth with the necessities of life," the newspaper quoted Burns.
Jayde Struhs, Elizabeth's older sister, has created a GoFundMe to help support her surviving siblings. In the post, Struhs details her escape from the cult.
"At the age of 16 I made the decision to runaway from home and leave my family behind due to the fear driven and controlling beliefs the cult my parents are apart of," she stated. "Even though I was rejected by my parents I have tried to stay in touch because I cared for my siblings and hoped to help them one day live a normal life."
She wrote that she and the extended family were "shattered and heartbroken" by the news of Elizabeth's death.
"People may not know that Elizabeth was one of 8 children, two now of adult age, including myself and five remaining siblings under 18," Struhs wrote. "My partner Emma and I will dedicate all money raised to providing the ongoing care for my five youngest family members to ensure they are welcomed into a safe, secure and loving home."
Thus far the page has raised about $22,000.
"Elizabeth Rose Struhs was taken from us far too soon, and a lifetime of memories that we never got to have with her was gone in a moment. Her brave spirit in the face of medical adversity was inspiring. She was a bright light on all that met her," she stated.
Originally published on Latin Times
