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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Charlie Jones

Cult accused of letting diabetic girl, 8, die without insulin as ritual healing fails

A number of cult members have been charged after an eight-year-old girl with diabetes died when she was denied access to insulin.

Rather than giving the young girl the medication she desperately needed, her parents instead prayed for her thinking she was suffering from "worms".

Elizabeth Rose Struhs’ body was found at the family’s home in Queensland, Australia, which doubled as a cult church.

She was found on January 11 but police believe died four days earlier.

As the girl lay dying, police allege the parents held a "prayer ritual" before inviting up to 20 members of the fringe religious group to play guitar, sing and pray for over 24 hours, rather than calling for help.

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The moment cult members were caught by the police (Queensland Police)

Footage shows the moment the police found some of the cult members involved.

A police spokesperson said: "All of the 12 arrested were aware of the child's condition, were there at the address and did not take any steps to provide medical assistance to the child."

The seven women and five men, aged between 19 and 64 are appearing at Toowoomba Magistrates Court today.

"It will be alleged the child suffered an underlying medical condition, who was denied treatment for that condition over a period of six days," Southern Region Detective Acting Superintendent Garry Watts said.

Their arrest follows a six-month investigation "in which all officers involved were dedicated to ensuring those alleged to be responsible for her death, are brought before the court", Watts said.

The group were aware of Elizabeth's illness but rather than giving her life-saving insulin to the little girl they instead prayed she would be "healed by God", 9News reports.

Elizabeth's parents, Jason Struhs, 50, and 46-year-old Kerrie, were arrested earlier this year as part of the investigation into her death. Police say the couple thought their daughter had "worms" and that God had promised to heal her.

The girl was found at her family home which doubled as a church (Queensland Police)

They have been charged with one count of murder, torture and failure to provide necessities of life.

The little girl's elder sister Jayde Struhs, who escaped the cult age 16 "due to the fear driven and controlling beliefs the cult my parents are a part of" has since promised to take care of the remaining five siblings under the age of 18.

In a GoFundMe page, Struhs, who came out as a lesbian in her teens, explained: "They take the religion to its extremes, separating us from the real world and extended family who did not believe."

Elizabeth Rose Struhs died as cult members danced around her, allege police (GoFundMe)

She continued: "On Tuesday the 11th of January, our extended family were confronted by the news that has left us completely shattered and heartbroken.

"We sadly discovered the death of Elizabeth in the cruellest of ways. With so many unanswered questions, we have faced the brutal reality that the people who should have protected her did not, and we may never know the full extent of what took place."

Struhs celebrated her sister's inspiring "brave spirit in the face of medical adversity".

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