A coronial inquest has revealed critical failures in Queensland’s child protection system after an eight-year-old girl with type 1 diabetes was nearly fatally neglected by her parents, who withheld insulin due to religious beliefs. Court testimony highlighted how a child safety officer deemed the child "safe" just days after she arrived at hospital in a coma, despite severe medical risks, before she was returned to her family’s care. The case underscores the complexities of balancing parental rights with a child’s urgent medical needs, as authorities grapple with religious objections to life-saving treatment. The hearing continues to examine the systemic and ethical challenges in such high-stakes cases.
Inquest into death of eight-year-old Queensland girl who was denied insulin by her religious parents told her case was complexGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA child safety officer incorrectly assessed Elizabeth Struhs as “safe” one day after she arrived at hospital in a coma and nearly died due to the neglect of her parents, a coroner’s court has heard.A Queensland coronial inquest heard evidence on Wednesday from one of the two child safety officers who ultimately decided to return the then six-year-old, who had type 1 diabetes, to the care of her parents at their home in Toowoomba. Continue reading...
