The short version
- Parole officers lacked access to critical conviction details due to administrative errors during the assessment process.
- The mother expressed beliefs that divine intervention would heal her daughter, yet was not flagged for high-level oversight.
- Systemic failures in child safety and correctional services contributed to the tragic outcome three weeks after release.
A coronial inquest in Brisbane has uncovered significant procedural failures within Queensland’s correctional system that preceded the death of eight-year-old Elizabeth Struhs. The inquiry revealed that Kerrie Struhs, Elizabeth’s mother, was assessed as posing no immediate risk to others just three weeks before her daughter died from diabetic ketoacidosis. This assessment occurred despite Kerrie Struhs having a prior conviction for child neglect related to the same medical condition.
The inquest heard that when Kerrie Struhs was released on court-ordered parole in December 2021, she met with two different correctional officers. The initial intake officer admitted to the court that she did not have access to the QP9 file, a document produced by prosecutors and police that contained detailed information about Kerrie’s previous offense. Additionally, the officer could not access the judge’s sentencing remarks or other relevant historical data due to what was described as an administrative error.
During their meeting, the parole intake officer conducted an immediate risk assessment. The file presented to the court included notes from a conversation in which Kerrie Struhs stated she believed God would heal her child and that she would not interfere with others providing treatment. She reportedly indicated she would act similarly again, maintaining her trust in divine healing. These sentiments had been previously expressed to healthcare workers, police, and child safety officers.
Despite these concerning statements, the officer upgraded Kerrie Struhs’ risk level only from low to standard. This classification required weekly meetings with a parole officer but did not trigger more intensive scrutiny. A senior correctional services officer testified that Kerrie should have been flagged for the serious offenders unit because her actions constituted serious child harm. Such designation would have resulted in additional oversight and monitoring of her case.
The second parole officer met with Kerrie Struhs on December 23, just two days before Christmas. This meeting lasted only ten to fifteen minutes. The officer noted that she did not take the same steps she might have at other times of the year, citing the holiday period as a factor. Both officers involved were duty officers filling in for regular staff, which may have impacted the thoroughness of their assessments.
Elizabeth Struhs had previously been discharged from hospital into the care of her father, Jason Struhs, after being admitted in a coma due to untreated type 1 diabetes in 2019. A child safety officer had marked Elizabeth as safe just days after that admission. However, specialist doctors in Brisbane had considered Kerrie’s beliefs so dangerous that they argued Elizabeth could not safely live in the same home as her mother. These medical concerns were overruled by child safety authorities.
Elizabeth died on January 7, 2022, after Jason Struhs stopped providing insulin starting on January 3. The timeline reveals a critical window where multiple agencies failed to intervene effectively. Kerrie, Jason, and twelve other adult members of their religious sect were convicted of manslaughter last year regarding Elizabeth’s death. The inquest aims to understand how systemic errors allowed this tragedy to unfold.
Legal restrictions prevent the identification of witnesses during the coronial proceedings. However, the testimony highlights a pattern of missed opportunities for intervention. The lack of accessible records and insufficient risk assessment protocols contributed to a situation where a child with life-threatening medical needs was left without adequate protection. The findings underscore the importance of comprehensive information sharing between correctional services and child safety agencies.
The case raises broader questions about how religious beliefs are weighed against medical necessities in child welfare cases. While freedom of religion is protected, it does not exempt individuals from ensuring their children receive necessary medical treatment. The failure to flag Kerrie Struhs for higher-level oversight despite her explicit statements and history suggests a need for reform in risk assessment procedures.
As the inquest continues, attention remains on how administrative errors can have fatal consequences. The gap between what officers knew and what they should have known represents a critical failure point. Ensuring that all relevant information is accessible to those making risk assessments could prevent similar tragedies in the future. The outcome of this inquiry may influence policy changes within Queensland’s correctional and child safety systems.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- The Guardian World↗Mother assessed as posing no immediate risk to others three weeks before Elizabeth Struhs’ manslaughter, inquest hears
