Death of Logan schoolgirl Tiahleigh Palmer to affect school security, child protection laws

THE circumstances of her death are still a mystery, but Logan schoolgirl Tiahleigh Palmer is already having a profound effect.

murder victim Tiahleigh Palmer from social media

SCHOOL surveillance and child protection laws are due for a shakeup as a result of the tragic death of Logan schoolgirl Tiahleigh Palmer.

The State Government said school principals should consider installing security cameras.

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Education Minister Kate Jones said principals concerned about security could apply to have CCTV cameras installed, with more than 150 schools already having them.

Police are checking roadside traffic cameras and have called on motorists using dash cams in the area to come forward.

“I think all principals have to have a look at the security of their school. There is funding available for security cameras and other security measures where principals feel that they need to toughen up,” Ms Jones said.

“I would like to ensure that all of our schools take security seriously.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk also yesterday requested an urgent briefing from her director-general about possible reforms to child protection laws in the wake of Tiahleigh’s suspected murder.

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Bravehearts executive director Hetty Johnston said current laws made it difficult for foster carers to publicise a child’s disappearance or to check if they have left to be with a family member.

Ms Palaszczuk pledged a fresh look at the laws. “I want to look into this because what’s happened is absolutely tragic,” she said.

“There’s not a person throughout this state that is not touched by what has happened to this poor young girl.

“I want to get to the bottom of it. I am getting a full detailed brief about it as quickly as possible. I want the police now to get on with their job and find out who did this.”

Continued public appeal for information

Police are continuing to appeal for information in relation to the death of Tiahleigh Palmer. Anyone who has information about the following is urged to contact police: - Her movements, whereabouts, plans and any conversations she had in the lead up to Friday October 30- CCTV footage and GoPro footage of the area around the school including Chambers Flat Road and Muchow Road between dawn and dusk on Friday October 30.- Who was around the Pimpama Bridge area on Kerkin Road North in the past seven days (from November 5) to come forward. - Her school uniform and backpack, which have not been located.

Posted by Queensland Police Service on Sunday, 8 November 2015

Child Safety Minister Shannon Fentiman said Tiahleigh’s death was a “tragedy which has shocked the whole community, especially here in Logan, and my thoughts and sympathies are with Tiahleigh’s family and loved ones’’.

Detectives, who have been working around the clock on the case since Tia’s body was found at Pimpama on the Gold Coast last Thursday night, spent much of yesterday interviewing students at Marsden State High School.

Detective Superintendent Dave Hutchinson believes some of Tia’s classmates must have known if she had planned to meet someone instead of attend school on the morning of October 30.

“She must have told someone something,” he said.

“We had good co-operation with the school principal today and numerous students have agreed to give interviews.”

Marsden State High School students leave floral tributes at the school gates yesterday. Pic: Jack Tran

The last confirmed sighting of the 12-year-old, who dreamt of becoming a dancer, was at 8.10am that morning when she was dropped by her carer down the road from school.

However, there have been several other reports that she was seen later that day in the Logan area.

“We are still running out all those inquiries,” Supt Hutchinson said.

Detailed forensic results, which could pinpoint a time and cause of Tia’s death, could still be weeks away.

Vanessa Casey’s daughter Angel was Tia’s friend and said the news had rocked the junior members of their high school.

Students console each other yesterday.

Tiahleigh Palmer’s picture is surrounded by tributes.

“They used to hang out at lunchtime and sometimes Tiahleigh would wait at the gate and they would walk into school together,” Mrs Casey said.

“Angel just broke down in tears when she heard and kept saying she couldn’t understand how this had happened.”

Mrs Casey said the death had sparked serious safety concerns among parents.

“I was already anxious ... I insist on dropping my kids off to school and picking them up because you see worrying things happen all the time,” she said.

Police ask anyone with information relating to Tia’s disappearance and death to urgently call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A picture of Tiahleigh Palmer from social media.