Girl, 12, charged with murder after woman stabbed to death at Royal Hotel building in Footscray

A girl charged with murdering a 37-year-old woman had been “running wild” in state care for years and may have been “prostituted out”.

Police at the scene of a fatal stabbing in Melbourne’s west. Picture: David Crosling

A 12-year-old girl charged with murder over a fatal stabbing had an intellectual disability and had been “running wild” while in state care for years, according to sources.

Homicide detectives on Thursday morning arrested the girl at the Royal Hotel building on Barkly St in Footscray after a 37-year-old woman was found dead in her home inside the converted complex about 2am.

The girl remained under police guard in hospital before she was charged with one count of murder on Thursday night.

She is believed to be one of the youngest Victorians to face such a charge.

A 12-year-old girl charged over a fatal stabbing was on the radar of Victoria Police. Picture: Liam Beatty

While the age of criminal liability in Victoria is 10, the state government has committed to raising the age to 12 by the end of 2024.

Sources close to the horrific case have told the Herald Sun that the girl should have been in long-term “secure welfare”.

But the state had no such facilities for children with intellectual disabilities, a source asserted.

The girl has been in state care for several years.

She was on Victoria Police’s radar, with one source saying she may have been “prostituted out”.

The girl had routinely run away from her carers, going missing for days at a time, sources have revealed, and had been the subject of dozens of warrants for “return to placement”.

There had been a push to place her in secure welfare but advocates said there no such facilities available.

The girl had routinely run away from her carers, going missing for days at a time, sources said. Picture: David Crosling

The Herald Sun has been told that several calls were made to police over concerns for the girl’s welfare and mental health in the weeks leading up to the death on Thursday.

The girl is also believed to have been forced to undertake sex work and would occasionally visit the converted pub where she allegedly stabbed the 37-year-old woman.

A youth worker with close knowledge of the girl’s history, which also included the use of illicit drugs, said authorities had failed to protect her as a ward of the state.

“No one has done anything about this kid’s welfare for the past 12 months,” he said.

“People have called the police about this girl and she has fallen through the cracks.

“This is a welfare issue and no one has picked up on it.

“I’ve never seen a worse example of this.”

The youth worker said the girl’s young age was a “prime example” of authorities failing to protect the state’s youngest and most vulnerable children.

Just two months ago, a report from Victoria Legal Aid revealed that one in two children who went into residential care in Victoria were charged with a criminal offence within two years.

State departments and Victoria Police more than three years ago signed an agreement to combat over-policing of children in state care.

There are currently about 500 Victorian children in residential care, which is a group setting overseen by paid staff, unlike home-based settings such as foster care.

Investigators are still working to establish the exact relationship between the pair.

The Herald Sun is seeking comment from the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, has footage or any information has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.