A 12-year-old accused murderer says she is keen to be moved to new bespoke accommodation, as a judge formally ordered her relocation.
The girl, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, allegedly fatally stabbed a 37-year-old woman at Footscray, in Melbourne’s inner-west, in November 2023.
She has been charged with murder and bailed to a secure welfare facility.
A psychiatrist is assessing the child’s age of criminal responsibility, also known as doli incapax.
The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, as the child’s guardian, has been renovating bespoke accommodation for the girl to be securely housed while she is assessed for the murder charge.
The girl has made threats to kill staff and other children since being housed at a secure welfare facility, including that she would “burn the place down”, the court heard previously.
She appeared by video link in the Supreme Court on April 15, where the court was told police had inspected the new accommodation and found it to be suitable.
“Victoria Police are now satisfied the facility is secure,” a prosecutor told the court.
The 12-year-old’s lawyer said she was “very keen” to take up her new accommodation and requested she not be handcuffed by police when she is moved.
Justice James Elliott ordered the child’s bail be varied to allow her move to the new location on Monday afternoon, April 15.
She will return to the court on May 16.
