How teen girl survived stabbing on steps of Bundaberg dance studio
What happened in the moments before and after a 15-year-old girl was allegedly stabbed by a stranger on the steps of a Queensland dance studio can be revealed along with touching details on her recovery.
Police & Courts
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New details about what police allege was a random and unprovoked stabbing of a 15-year-old girl outside a Bundaberg dance studio can be revealed as she recovers at home in good spirits.
The girl, who cannot be named, was taken to Bundaberg Hospital after sustaining eight to 10 knife wounds in an attack outside TNT Dance Studio on Monday around 4.30pm.
A 34-year-old woman, Krystel Louise Paulson, was charged with acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm in relation to the incident.
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Bundaberg Police said on Tuesday the two were not known to each other prior to the incident, in which Paulson approached the girl and started a conversation with her outside the studio.
Police allege that after a short interval Ms Paulson engaged in an unprovoked attack on the girl with a kitchen knife, inflicting eight to 10 penetration and slashing wounds to the girl’s back.
TNT Dance Studio released a statement on social media on Wednesday providing further details around the alleged assault.
The girl was sitting on the steps outside the studio waiting for the commencement of a junior ballet class, the studio said.
After the alleged assault, the girl reentered the studio and Ms Paulson did not follow, the statement said.
“(The girl had a) continued focus to get into the studio where she knew she would be safe,” the Facebook post read.
“The (alleged) attacker did not enter the sliding doors into our studio.”
The studio attributed the girl’s calm response to the alleged incident to the dance training she had received in her 13-year association with the studio.
“Our dancer was cool, calm, and collected,” the post continued.
“Breathing deeply and controlled, as she is taught to do in her dance exercises.
“Our teachers were amazing, they too exercised maturity beyond their years.
“We are all so very proud of them.”
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Detective Sergeant Mike Thompson from the Bundaberg Child Protection Investigation Unit said the girl was taken from the scene to Bundaberg Hospital, and was scheduled to have surgery on Tuesday afternoon.
The studio said the girl had since recovered well from the surgery, involving external and internal stitches, and would be returning home on Wednesday.
A large group of students, teachers and parents visited the girl after her surgery and found her to be in good spirits.
“It was such a joyful visit late last night with at least 16 dancers, dance teachers, and dance mums, I am sure the paediatric unit was a little confused as to the celebrations that were taking place,” the post read.
“Balloons, flowers, gifts, chocolates, teddy bears filled the space, along with our big voices.
“Strutting around in her compression socks, and a nice big dose of pain killers, our dancer was keen to get back to class as soon as possible.
“We will be patient though, and support her every step of the way, her 13 years at TNT mean everything to us.”
The studio said classes returned to their normal schedule on Tuesday, with many members of the community expressing relief at hearing of the girl’s recovery.
“This news is amazing so glad she is on the mend already,” Julie Pratt wrote under the post.
“With the support of the TNT family she will be stronger than ever.
“Well done to all.”
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Ms Paulson’s matter will next be heard in Bundaberg Magistrates Court on March 19, 2024.
Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service declined to comment on the girl’s injuries or recovery due to the incident being subject to a police investigation.
TNT Dance Studio have been contacted for comment.
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