Inquest into the death of eight-year-old Queensland girl Elizabeth Struhs, who was denied insulin by her religious parents, reveals critical misjudgments by child safety officials.

Background

The Queensland coronial inquest heard on Tuesday that a child safety officer incorrectly assessed Elizabeth as "safe" just one day after she was admitted to the hospital in a coma due to neglect. Elizabeth, who suffered from type 1 diabetes, was returned to her parents' care in Toowoomba despite serious concerns about her safety.

Key Developments

  • Elizabeth was admitted to Toowoomba Hospital on 17 July 2019 in a coma from diabetic ketoacidosis.
  • After being transferred to the Queensland Children's Hospital in Brisbane, a safety assessment marked her as "safe".
  • A colleague of the assessing officer testified that Elizabeth should have been deemed "unsafe" due to insufficient information about her situation.
  • Elizabeth died on 7 January 2022 while her parents prayed for her healing, having been convicted in 2021 for failing to provide necessary care.