Doctors urged forced assessment

Doctors treating Elizabeth Struhs recommended her mother Kerrie Struhs be subjected to involuntary mental health assessment because she delusionally believed God would heal her daughter's type one diabetes.

Child safety overruled doctors

Child safety officers decided to return eight-year-old Elizabeth home to live with her mother in 2019, despite objections from Brisbane-based doctors who had raised serious concerns.

Elizabeth hospitalised in coma

Elizabeth came to the attention of child safety in 2019 after she was hospitalised with late-stage diabetic ketoacidosis on seventeen July. She was so unwell she was in a coma and nearly died.

Mother insisted on divine healing

Kerrie objected to her daughter being taken to hospital, believing Elizabeth would be miraculously healed.

“Kerrie stated that she has to trust in God to heal Elizabeth as God promised her he will hear her.”

Doctors urged involuntary order

Doctors told child safety officers that Kerrie would not engage in mental health assessments given her beliefs. They stated she required an involuntary assessment and that child safety could arrange this.

Safety plan signed but failed

Child safety developed a safety plan and had parents sign a voluntary arrangement. The document warned that Kerrie might convince Elizabeth she was healed by God, risking her refusal to take insulin and death.

Father stopped insulin in 2021

Jason Struhs promised to provide insulin and did so for two years. In 2021 he was convinced to stop by members of a religious sect called the Saints. Elizabeth died on seven January 2022.