Kerrie Elizabeth Struhs and Jason Richard Struhs: Man, woman charged with murder, torture of child

The parents of a young Toowoomba girl held a bizarre religious ceremony as she was dying, calling for help from God instead of Triple 0, police will allege. The parents have been charged with murder.

Police are investigating after an eight-year-old girl was found deceased in her Toowoomba home.

The parents of an eight-year-old girl who died of illness in a Queensland home called a group of worshippers to come over to pray for God to save their child instead of calling paramedics, investigators will allege.

Kerrie Elizabeth Struhs and Jason Richard Struhs were charged with murder, torture and failing to provide the necessities of life on Tuesday by detectives from the Toowoomba Child Protection and Investigation Unit, Child Trauma Unit and the Homicide Investigation Unit.

Police will allege their daughter Elizabeth was extremely ill and died at home on Friday, but rather than take her to hospital, the parents gathered a group of their religious circle to pray for the child.

A neighbour, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, reported seeing a large gathering of people at the home on Saturday, where he heard loud voices and music.

About 5pm on Saturday, a member of the prayer group contacted the Queensland Ambulance Service and a team of paramedics located the deceased girl.

The neighbour said he saw one of the paramedics run from the house crying with a phone in her hand.

Jason Richard Struhs.

“Within minutes there were police everywhere,” he said.

The neighbour said there were more than 10 police vehicles, including plain-clothed officers and a forensics team.

Mr and Mrs Struhs appeared in the Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Wednesday where they were remanded in custody. Both appeared motionless as Magistrate Kay Philipson read out the charges.

They both refused legal representation and indicated that they will represent themselves in what Magistrate Philipson said would be lengthy legal proceedings.

Magistrate Philipson urged them to seek legal aid as the charges were serious and likely to see them held in custody for a long time while their cases moved through the legal system. “These are very serious matters,” she said. “Is it your intention to get any legal advice?”

“No, thank you,” Mr Struhs said.

“I won’t be applying for bail.”

Police are investigating after an eight-year-old girl was found deceased in her Toowoomba home.

The magistrate noted that the couple had engaged a solicitor in the past and asked if they would engage them for a second time.

“No,” Mr Struhs said.

Magistrate Philipson repeated her advice for Mrs Struhs.

“I understand you don’t want to see the duty (solicitor), I would urge you to get some legal advice,” she said.

“I do not,” Mrs Struhs said.

Due to the serious nature of the offences, the couple must wait for a Supreme Court sitting to apply for bail. Magistrate Philipson ordered a full brief of evidence and adjourned the matter to March 24.

The couple was not required to enter any plea.

The child’s death happened on a normally quiet Toowoomba street.

The girl’s death has raised serious questions about how closely the Queensland Department of Child, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs and the Child Safety Service was monitoring the family.

While sources inside the Queensland Police Service and Department of Justice have said both the accused and Elizabeth were well known to authorities, the Child Safety Service has refused to comment on its role.

“The death of any child is an absolute tragedy, and our sympathies go out to those who are affected by this recent loss,” a spokeswoman said.

“Under the provisions of the Child Protection Act the department is unable to disclose whether an individual or family is known or not known to child protection.”

Toowoomba South MP and Queensland deputy leader of the LNP David Janetzki lives near the home where the girl’s body was discovered and has called for answers.

“What happened here and could it have been prevented?” Mr Janetzki questioned.

“Our thoughts go to the brave first responders who attended this unthinkable tragedy.”