‘Elizabeth was failed’: 8yo dead just weeks after mum released from prison

An inquiry could be held into the failings that led to tragic death of eight-year-old Elizabeth Struhs who died just weeks after her mother was released from prison.

An inquiry could be held into the failings that led to tragic death of eight-year-old Elizabeth Struhs who died after being deprived of her life saving insulin only weeks after her mother was released from prison.

Premier David Crisafulli has said his government is “open minded” about whether there should be an inquest or review into the death of the schoolgirl amid calls for better information sharing between government agencies.

Elizabeth’s parents Jason and Kerrie Struhs and 12 other members known as the Saints were on Wednesday found guilty of her manslaughter in their Toowoomba home in January 2022.

The religious group prayed and sang around Elizabeth, who had type 1 diabetes, in the hope that God would raise her.

Jason and Elizabeth Struhs.

Both Jason and Kerrie had previously been prosecuted for failing to provide her the necessities of life after she became seriously ill and was taken to hospital by Jason in 2019.

Kerrie was jailed but Jason, who at the time was an atheist avoided jail time for the 2019 incident by co-operating with investigators. While Kerrie was in jail he converted to religion and became a member of the Saints.

Members of the Saints – who believe in the healing power of god over the use of modern medicine – persuaded and encouraged Jason to stop providing insulin to Elizabeth. Within three weeks of Kerrie being released on parole Elizabeth died, after her insulin was withdrawn, during the school holidays.

Her oldest sibling, Jayde Struhs, who is estranged from the family said there were system failings that contributed to her death.

Kerrie Elizabeth Struhs. Pic: Supplied

The family was visited by the Department of Child Safety after the 2019 incident, where a voluntary agreement with the family was made, but the matter was later closed.

On Thursday Premier David Crisafulli was asked if Elizabeth had been let down by failings of the department.

“What we need is to make sure that through the most harrowing of harrowing cases, that change comes,” he said.

“And it’s important for Queenslanders to know … if systems need to be improved, you bet they will.”

When asked if there should be a coronial inquest or review he responded: “We’re open minded, let’s see where the court case goes. Let that process be concluded.”

Director of ACU’s Institute of Child Protection Studies, Professor Daryl Higgins said Elizabeth’s death highlighted the need for information sharing between government agencies.

“I think we have to look at how systems have let down children and young people and their families,” Professor Higgins said.

The home where Elizabeth’s body was found.

“And I think that this is a good example of that where there were indications within the justice system that risk was continuing and needed to be mitigated and yet a completely separate system – the child protection system – that was working voluntarily with the family closed that case.

Asked whether he believed Elizabeth was failed by the government, Professor Higgins said: “I think that there’s many failings, I think the family was failed by the government and of course so was Elizabeth”.

Professor Higgins suggested there could be a stand-alone help system within health, early childhood or education to destigmatise child safety.

“(Elizabeth) was at school and schools were aware of the complexity and then holidays came so what’s that process for connecting up between different systems to be able to ensure there are eyes on when there is vulnerability, when there is risk and then where there are times where that risk is elevated and clearly when she is not coming along day to day to be seen by schools that should be a flag,” he said.

Act for Kids CEO Dr Katrina Lines called for a review into the 8-year-old’s tragic death.

“Act for Kids supports a review into the circumstances of Elizabeth’s death, to promote learning and explore ways to strengthen communities, systems and measures to enhance society’s ability to safeguard children and uphold their rights.”

Child Safety Minister Amanda Camm on Wednesday said she would consider the outcomes of the death of Elizabeth and any shortfalls in the “system we inherited”. She said she would welcome a coroner’s inquiry.

“I welcome a Coroner’s Inquiry into this case, as well as any findings or further recommendations to improve child safety practices in this state,” she said.

Elizabeth died week after her mother was released from prison

Originally published as ‘Elizabeth was failed’: 8yo dead just weeks after mum released from prison