A 12-year-old girl accused of fatally stabbing a woman should not remain in juvenile detention due to challenges with her intellectual disabilities, her lawyer says.
The girl was arrested and charged with murder after the body of a 37-year-old woman was found in an apartment in Melbourne’s inner suburb Footscray about 2am on Thursday.
She faced a children’s court on Friday where her lawyer said her detention at a juvenile centre was “inappropriate”.
He discussed the custody management for the girl who had faced a “raft” of challenges while remanded including intellectual disabilities such as autism, ADHD and anxiety.
She will be assessed for further requirements while she remains in custody.
The defence also signalled an intention to apply for his client’s bail at the Supreme Court to seek solutions to provide her with secure welfare, including exploring community housing arrangements or a boarding option.
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The prosecutor had asked for a 12-week adjournment to which the magistrate said he believed it was too long.
“Given the unique nature of this case and custody, the period should be shorter,” he said.
As the magistrate handed down his orders, the girl asked “where am I going?”
The girl has been remanded in custody and will appear via video link on November 24 for a further case hearing.
