‘No intention’ to take dying child to hospital

The wife of a cult-like religious sect’s leader accused of fatally withholding a child’s insulin for days told police no one in the group had “any intention” of taking the sick girl to hospital.

Loretta Mary Stevens, 67, denied members of the fringe church group were “silly people” as she explained why none of them chose to seek medical attention for Elizabeth Struhs, 8.

The child, who had type 1 diabetes, was found dead in her Rangeville home in early 2022.

Members of the religious circle – known as The Saints – are on trial accused of causing Elizabeth’s death by withholding her insulin medication for several days.

Ms Stevens is the wife of Brendan Luke Stevens, the leader of The Saints, and is charged with manslaughter.

Hours of recorded interviews between the defendants and police have been played to the court throughout the trial.

In hers, Ms Stevens tells detectives she didn’t believe Elizabeth was “writhing in pain” during the week she lay dying in her family home.

She described the child as “listless” and struggling to hold down food and use the toilet.

The group was concerned Elizabeth was ailing and decided to pray and leave the situation “in God’s hands”, Ms Stevens says during the interview.

“We recognise we did everything possible,” she continues.

“None of us had any intention of going to hospital.

“That’s not where our help is … (it’s) in the God of Jacob, God of Israel.

“I hope I’m getting my point across here, we’re not silly people.”

Ms Stevens continues to reiterate the choice to stop the insulin was made by Elizabeth’s father, Jason Richard Struhs, urging detectives to question him over what he knew.

She is heard denying there was pressure from the group for Mr Struhs to remove the insulin and “trust in God”.

One detective asks: “At any stage did you think this child (Elizabeth) was going to die?”

Ms Stevens replies: “The help is our God.”

The Crown contends Mr Struhs, 52, made the decision to withdraw the child’s insulin on January 3, 2022, to prove his new faith in God.

Members of The Saints are accused of “manipulating” Mr Struhs into adopting their hard-line faith-healing beliefs and refusal of medical intervention as well as encouraging him to remain steadfast in his decision to keep his daughter off the medication.

Elizabeth’s condition worsened throughout the week until she died between January 6-7 that year as a result of diabetic ketoacidosis.

Ms Stevens’s interview, which took place over several hours on July 5, 2022, continues with the 67-year-old asserting Elizabeth died a “peaceful death”.

She reiterates she does not regret not seeking medical attention for the child and did not consider she might have died without insulin.

“Where do you get that from? In my mind, I don’t recall seeing that either,” she tells police.

Ms Stevens goes on to describe a true Christian as “someone who lives their life according to the statutes of the Lord” while referencing her Catholic background.

The court was told “celebratory” music and singing was heard coming from the Struhses’s home after Elizabeth’s death was reported.

“We always praise our God, whether it’s sunny or dark, joyful or sad times,” Ms Stevens says when asked about this.

“We’re thankful … if you’re in doubtful times then we praise our God because he is the only one who can help us in this world.”

Mr Struhs and Mr Stevens, 62, are both charged with Elizabeth’s murder.

Loretta Stevens, Elizabeth’s mother Kerrie Elizabeth Struhs, 49 and her elder brother Zachary Alan Struhs, 21, Acacia Naree Stevens, 31, Therese Maria Stevens, 37, Sebastian James Stevens, 23, Andrea Louise Stevens, 34, Camellia Claire Stevens, 28, and Alexander Francis Stevens, 26, Lachlan Stuart Schoenfisch, 34 and his wife Samantha Emily Schoenfisch, 26, and Keita Courtney Martin, 22, are all charged with manslaughter.

All 14 defendants have pleaded not guilty to their charges.

The judge-only trial continues.