By Holly Thompson and Louise Rennie
Homicide squad detectives are now leading the investigation into the attack on pregnant mother Diane Miller, who was sitting in a car when a 17-year-old boy allegedly threw a piece of concrete through the window at her.
Miller, 30, was attacked at Waterford Plaza Shopping Centre carpark on Tuesday in an incident police described as “senseless, unprovoked violence”. She remains in a critical condition.
WA Premier Mark McGowan said the situation was “very, very tragic”.
“It’s very, very sad for her and her unborn child. It’s one of those things that it’s just beyond description, that this could happen to someone.”
Her brother, Malcolm Clifton, said the mother-of-one was just getting her life back on track when she found herself at the scene of the melee, which involved about 15 people.
“I heard there was an argument and my sister swore at them and told them to go away and as they drove off someone threw a brick through the window,” he said.
“She didn’t even see it coming, it hit her straight in the temple and she looked at her partner and said, ‘Phillip’, and then she was out.
“She’s got a baby in her belly, once she’s gone, the baby’s going to pass away too.
“We want justice served, we want these people caught.”
The teenage boy who allegedly ditched the piece of concrete at Miller, knocking her unconscious and causing her to go into cardiac arrest, appeared in Perth Children’s Court on Wednesday charged with grievous bodily harm and breach of bail.
Diane Miller, pictured with her son, is in hospital fighting for her life following the unprovoked attack.
Police prosecutor Brad Hollingsworth said the teenager handed himself into police and made full admissions, but has yet to enter any formal pleas in court.
His lawyer said he would make a bail application at his next hearing.
Cannington District Office Inspector Brett Baddock said police were called to the centre by multiple people who witnessed the incident.
Baddock said a “melee” had broken out between a group of 10 to 15 people between 7pm and 7.30pm, instigated by teenagers who he alleged were “out looking for trouble”.
Adults in their late 20s were also part of the fight, but they were “unsuspecting victims”.
Miller was a passenger in a car driven by her partner, who had jumped out and become involved in the scuffle.
Police officers and members of the public performed CPR on her until St John paramedics arrived and she was taken to hospital.
Baddock said the 17-year-old and his friends allegedly fled the scene but were arrested hours later.
“This is quite simply senseless violence ... I think [the teenagers] have gone out looking for trouble, and they found it,” he said.
Clifton said doctors had warned the family the swelling on his sister’s brain was worsening.
“They’re going to keep monitoring her brain, if it keeps swelling it’s going to stop the blood going to her brain, she’s going to end up brain-dead, once that happens, she’ll be like dead and the baby will die,” he said on Wednesday.
“You wouldn’t wish this on anyone.”
The investigation is ongoing and detectives have urged anyone who saw the incident, has mobile phone or dash-cam vision taken in the carpark, or has any further information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperswa.com.au.
The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here.