JUST IN: DEVASTATING NEW DETAILS EMERGE..! – A 16-YEAR-OLD HAS BEEN TAKEN INTO CUSTODY FOLLOWING A SUSPECTED FAMILY VIOLENCE HOMICIDE THAT LEFT HIS MOTHER D*AD AND HIS SISTER SERIOUSLY INJURED IN WA.
The teen’s sister is also in hospital with serious injuries.
What is the current condition of the 12-year-old girl?
Why is the 16-year-old boy in custody?
Why is the 16-year-old boy under suspicion?
A mother is dead and her young daughter seriously injured after what police suspect was a family violence stabbing attack.
A 16-year-old boy — the son of the woman and brother of the injured girl — is now in custody, police said, as detectives comb a number of crime scenes.
The 35-year-old woman’s body was found by police called to a home in Bentley, 10km southeast of Perth, about 6.15am on Tuesday.
A 12-year-old girl who “was able to flee” the residence was found nearby on Albany Hwy with serious injuries.
She was taken by ambulance to hospital, where she remains in a serious but stable condition.
“We’re very thankful that members of the public did stop, assist … and (St John WA) were called as soon as possible to provide the … life-saving care she needed,” Detective Acting Inspector Jessica Securo said.
Injuries ‘consistent with stab wounds’
Police are investigating the mother’s death and girl’s injuries as a suspected family violence homicide, Securo said, with the homicide squad leading the probe.
“The injuries to both the 12-year-old and the deceased are consistent with stab wounds,” Securo said, not disclosing any information about evidence recovered so far.
She said both mother and daughter had called triple-0, sending emergency services racing to the home.
The 16-year-old boy was taken into custody at the property.
“It is our understanding that the three lived at the address together,” Securo said.
The acting inspector said the boy is known to police and they will examine all past interactions he has had with them.
Authorities do not believe anyone else is involved and there is no ongoing threat to the community.
Police are now combing the crime scenes, door-knocking neighbours and searching for CCTV, and have appealed for anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.
They expect to maintain a heavy presence at the home for some time.
A stretch of Albany Hwy in Cannington had been closed for hours while police investigated the site where the girl was found.
The road has since been reopened.
“This incident will have a significant impact on the family, friends and loved ones of all those involved, as well as the broader community,” Securo said.
“Our thoughts are with them all, particularly the 12-year-old girl who remains in hospital receiving treatment.
“Recognising the confronting nature of this investigation, WA Police health and welfare support services are in place for all officers involved in the response”
WA deputy premier minister Rita Saffioti said “our thoughts are with the first responders as we understand it was a horrific scene”.
The investigation is ongoing and no charges have been laid.
