12-year-old girl charged with stabbing Melbourne woman had run away from carers 275 times

The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing initially sought to keep details of the girl’s history secret but a Supreme Court judge ruled against a gagging order.

The Herald Sun reported the girl had a history of running away from carers, averaging twice a week, and had run away 275 times in three years.

There were at least 10 reports of escalating violent behaviour in the 20 months before her arrest, including incidents such as holding up a shop with a knife, carrying a knife in public, assaulting three people, stealing a car, and throwing a stone through a resident’s window.

The child allegedly had a history of abuse, substance abuse (alcohol), and had been a victim of sexual exploitation by adults.

After her arrest, she allegedly threatened a Royal Children’s Hospital psychologist with, “I’m going to f***ing kill you motherf***ers.”

The girl’s legal guardian, the State, lost a Supreme Court bid to keep details secret, citing “parental concern” for the girl’s welfare.

The girl is currently on bail at a secure unit that allows therapeutic treatment due to her young age and needs.

She remains in an isolated area of the accommodation, allegedly making threats to kill other children and expressing intentions to burn down the building and hurt people.

The state’s bid to revoke her bail was refused, and alternate secure accommodation is being considered.

The circumstances of the alleged murder are not known, and the criminal case has been stalled amid the suppression fight.

The girl’s fingerprints and DNA are yet to be taken for forensic analysis, which was delayed due to the suppression order.

Lawyers for the Secretary argued against detailed media coverage, stating it could cause injustice by further traumatising the vulnerable child and affecting future legal proceedings.

The girl’s capacity to be held accountable for the murder charge has been questioned.

The case is set to return to court next month.