Child safety officer incorrectly assessed Elizabeth Struhs as ‘safe’ day after she was admitted to hospital in coma
A coronial inquest in Queensland is examining the death of an eight-year-old girl who died after being denied insulin by her parents. Testimony revealed that a child safety officer incorrectly assessed the child as 'safe' shortly after she was hospitalized in a coma.
Why it matters
The case raises critical questions about child protection protocols and the failure of state agencies to intervene in cases of medical neglect driven by religious beliefs.
Elizabeth Struhs, 8, died after being denied insulin in January 2022. Photograph: BBC Elizabeth Struhs, 8, died after being denied insulin in January 2022. Photograph: BBC Queensland Child safety officer incorrectly assessed Elizabeth Struhs as ‘safe’ day after she was admitted to hospital in coma Inquest into the death of eight-year-old Queensland girl who was denied insulin by her religious parents is told her case was complex
Prefer the Guardian on Google A 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 Tuesday from one of the two child safety officers who ultimately decided to return the then six-year-old type 1 diabetic to the care of her parents at their home in Toowoomba.
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