Twelve members of a home-based religious group have faced court for the alleged murder of Elizabeth Rose Struhs after they allegedly denied the eight-year-old life-saving medication for six days in the belief their songs and prayers to God would heal her.
Facing Toowoomba magistrates court on Wednesday, Brendan Stevens, 60, was also charged with failing to supply the necessaries of life. His wife, Loretta, 65, and six other people bearing the surname Stevens, aged between 21 and 35, were among those facing court.
Zachary Struhs, 19, Keita Courtney, 20, Samantha Crouch, 24, and Lachlan Schoenfisch, 32, were also charged with Elizabeth’s alleged murder.
Elizabeth had type 1 diabetes and died in her family’s Rangeville home, west of Brisbane, on 7 January. Police allege paramedics were not called to the scene until 5.30pm the next day.
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