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Queensland Sets October Inquest Into Elizabeth Struhs' Death After Hospital Warning Disclosed

The coroner will examine if agencies overlooked clinicians' 2019 warnings about the diabetic girl's safety.

Overview

  • At a pre-inquest conference, counsel assisting said Queensland Children’s Hospital staff had warned in 2019 that Elizabeth "cannot be safely cared for" in the home where her mother lived.
  • Counsel stated Child Safety appeared to have misjudged the risk when the girl was returned home and noted the Intervention with Parental Approval was closed on December 17, 2019.
  • The inquest will run October 12–23, 2026 and will scrutinize decisions by Child Safety, Health, Police, Education, and Corrective Services, including parole supervision of Kerrie Struhs.
  • The coroner confirmed the hearing will not re‑hear criminal evidence, following manslaughter convictions of 14 members of the Saints faith-healing group over Elizabeth’s death.
  • Evidence outlined that Jason Struhs, after pressure to join the Saints, eventually stopped his daughter's insulin in early January 2022, weeks after Kerrie Struhs was released on parole.