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The parents of an insulin-starved girl have received lengthy prison terms over the eight-year-old's "slow and painful" death after a judge slammed their church group.
Elizabeth Rose Struhs died in January 2022 at her family's home west of Brisbane after her parents and brother held a vigil around her with other members of religious group "the Saints", denying her life-saving insulin.
Elizabeth's father, Jason Richard Struhs, 53, and mother Kerrie Elizabeth Struhs, 49, each received 14 year terms when they were sentenced for manslaughter in Brisbane Supreme Court today along with 12 other group members.
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The "main instigator", Saints leader Brendan Stevens, received 13 years, with Justice Martin Burns calling him a "highly dangerous individual".
Each has been declared a serious violent offender and must serve 80 per cent of their jail terms.
Elizabeth's brother Zachary Alan Struhs, 22, received six years with the other church group members – including Stevens' wife and five children – sentenced to terms ranging from six to nine years.
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Justice Burns took aim at the church group over the girl's "profoundly disturbing" death, saying they let their faith blind them as Elizabeth suffered for days.
Elizabeth died lying on a mattress in the living room after six days without her prescribed insulin for type 1 diabetes.
Justice Burns said each of the church members encouraged Jason Struhs to stop his daughter's insulin to meet their own religious beliefs.
"I am left with no other conclusion that you allowed your faith to blind you to the real plight Elizabeth, suffered a slow and painful death and you are all in one way or another, responsible," Justice Burns told the court today.
He said the group took the "life of a vibrant, happy child who should have gone on to enjoy a full life".
"Elizabeth's death was and remains profoundly disturbing, if for no other reason that it was so entirely and easily preventable," Justice Burns said.
"Each of you engaged in some sort of spiritual gamble with the life of a child, a child you profess to love.
"The arrogance of your belief in that regard was and remains bewildering."
He condemned them for their lack of remorse and inability to question whether leader Stevens' preaching might be wrong, ultimately leading to an innocent child's death.
Justice Burns said it was unlikely any of the members would be rehabilitated during their time in prison nor would the hefty sentences act as a deterrent.
The 14 church group members had been found guilty on January 31 after their nine-week, judge-only 2024 trial.
The members claimed at the trial they were acting on their religious beliefs that included rejecting modern medicine as "witchcraft".
Members told police they welcomed Elizabeth's death as it was a chance for God to resurrect her and show divine power to non-believers.
Trial witnesses described the Saints as a "cult", accusing them of brainwashing Jason Struhs and others.
Jason Struhs signed a diabetes management plan for his daughter after his wife was jailed in July 2021 for failing to provide Elizabeth with the necessities of life.
After his wife returned on December 16, 2021, he stopped giving Elizabeth her rapid-acting insulin on New Year's Day and later ceased her remaining slow-release doses.
Six days later the Saints found Elizabeth unresponsive and she died.
When police responded to her father's triple-zero call made about 36 hours later, the Saints members were present singing religious songs.
Therese Maria Stevens, 37, Sebastian James Stevens, 24, Loretta Mary Stevens, 67, Camellia Claire Stevens, 29, Andrea Louise Stevens, 35, Alexander Francis Stevens, 26, Acacia Naree Stevens, 32, Samantha Emily Schoenfisch, 26, Lachlan Stuart Schoenfisch, 34, and Keita Courtney Martin, 24 were the other members sentenced.
For support, call Lifeline 13 11 14 or Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged five to 25).
