Man accused of killing diabetic girl denies he wanted to ‘wean’ child off insulin, laughs at ‘lie’ from police
A man charged with withholding a young girl’s insulin, resulting in her death, allegedly claimed his church group could ‘wean’ the child off the drug.
A man accused of withholding a young girl’s insulin - resulting in her death - laughed off suggestions that he would “wean” the child off the lifesaving medication.
Alexander Francis Stevens is one of 14 members of the cult-like church group known as The Saints who is on trial over the death of Elizabeth Struhs, 8, in early 2022.
The child died between January 6-7 that year from diabetic ketoacidosis, which was allegedly caused when her insulin was withdrawn by her father Jason Richard Struhs and members of the faith-healing congregation several days before.
During an interview with detectives in the months after the child’s death, Mr Stevens is questioned as to why he did not seek medical attention for Elizabeth as she lay dying in her family’s Rangeville home.
“It’s against my beliefs, I’m not going to do something that’s against my beliefs,” Alexander tells them.
Police then refer to an alleged conversation Alexander had with his employer, Tony Jannusch, regarding Elizabeth being on insulin “for the rest of her life”.
Detectives put to Alexander that he replied with: “We will wean her off it.”
Alexander then bursts into laughter, calling it a “lie”.
“What I said, and I clearly remember, was that I don’t believe so,” he tells police.
Mr Stevens and 11 others are charged with Elizabeth’s manslaughter.
Jason Struhs and Brendan Luke Stevens - the leader of The Saints - are both charged with the child’s murder.
The Crown contends Elizabeth’s parents made the decision to stop administering Elizabeth’s insulin for Jason to prove his new faith in God.
Members of the congregation are accused of encouraging the 52-year-old to remain steadfast in his belief over the following days while his daughter’s condition worsened.
The court has already heard evidence Elizabeth was rushed to hospital in mid-2019 after becoming deathly ill from her then-undiagnosed condition.
Kerrie and Jason were both charged with failing to supply their daughter with the necessaries of life.
Jason received a suspended sentence after pleading guilty while Kerrie pleaded not guilty, eventually being convicted at a District Court trial in 2021.
She was sentenced to five months’ jail.
During his interview, Alexander Stevens refers to media reporting of Elizabeth being so sick she almost died as a “joke”.
He laughs at suggestions from detectives that Kerrie was jailed for committing a serious crime.
“You guys believe she’s committed an offence,” Alexander tells them.
“This whole case is new ground and it’s edging on religious discrimination.
He continues by saying the decisions they make “are going to come back on you” when “Jesus returns”.
“This is serious stuff... according to your heart and soul,” Alexander states.
An interview with Therese Maria Stevens was also played to the court.
She is heard repeatedly saying “pass” when detectives question her role in failing to seek medical care for Elizabeth in the days before her death.
A series of texts exchanged between Ms Stevens, 37, and Ms Struhs, 49, was also recounted by detectives.
In it, Ms Stevens expressed joy at the child being home for the 2019-20 school holidays, along with the end of her insulin administration while at school.
She also states: “Expect things to happen.”
Detectives ask if Ms Stevens can explain what was planned by the church during the school holidays.
“Nothing (was planned),” Ms Stevens replies before saying “pass”.
In a text to Kerrie in December 2019, Therese expresses joy at the “last day” of school.
Therese’s text continues: “No more diabetes school stuff until, well, maybe never. Expect things to happen. Woo-hoo! I’m so glad for you.”
Kerrie responds by saying “we are diligently praying over the school holidays for all this to be over”.
During the interview, detectives say the texts infer Elizabeth was expected to be free of diabetes during the school holidays.
Therese Stevens says nothing was planned.
She continues by stating the child was not dead and there was “no malicious intent” to do any harm to Elizabeth.
Therese then asks: “If somehow Elizabeth appears – which she will, but I don’t know when or where or how – if she does appear, will this charge still stand?”
“That’s the question the government will have to ask itself.
“You can’t be charged for killing someone who is alive.”
Detectives then show her pictures of the congregation crowding around Elizabeth’s body in the days before her death.
Therese goes on about the provision of care from hospitals, arguing “random doctors don’t get charged with murder and torture” if people die in hospital.
“We know God has healed Elizabeth … we’re not hiding anything,” she tells police.
“A photo like this was taken at a time anyone could take photos. She could have been alive and well the next day.
“There’s nothing wrong with taking a photo or what we did.
“This just makes me smile – we were there … I’m not smiling because it was a good time, it’s because Elizabeth is a healed girl.”
The judge-only trial continues.