A 16-year-old boy has appeared in court accused of murdering his mother and attempting to kill his younger sister.
The visibly upset teen attended via video link from the Banksia Hill juvenile detention centre and told the Perth Children’s Court “why would I do that? I wouldn’t do that” when the charge of murder was read out on Wednesday afternoon.
He allegedly stabbed his mother, 35, to death and attacked his 12-year-old sibling at their home in Bentley, with police called to the property about 6.15am on Tuesday.
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The seriously injured girl fled to Albany Hwy in Cannington where passers-by stopped and helped until paramedics arrived.
WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch said family members and friends were now supporting her in hospital.
“What a tragic story and my heart goes out to that entire family who are just dealing with probably an unimaginable event,” Blanch said.
“Our thoughts go out to the family and that little 12-year-old girl.”
A 16-year-old boy has appeared in court charged with murdering his mother and attempting to kill his younger sister. Credit: 7NEWSA 16-year-old boy has appeared in court charged with murdering his mother and attempting to kill his younger sister. Credit: 7NEWS
The boy, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was arrested at the home by responding officers.
Police said he was known to authorities but Blanch would not expand on the nature of that with the legal process underway.
“These investigations must be thorough and it won’t just stop at the criminal investigation and the criminal prosecution. No doubt the community will want to know exactly what happened leading up to this event,” Blanch said.
“I think it’s too early to make any of those judgments.”
Speaking generally, he said there had been a rise in family violence “across this country for many years”.
“I think one of the concerns always is when it’s a young person in the family, parents are often reluctant to report for obvious reasons. They don’t want to put their children through the justice system,” he said.
WA Premier Roger Cook said the alleged murder and attempt to kill is “a deeply distressing situation”.
“It would be distressing for the families and friends involved, for the people who live in that community and for the first responders,” he said.
“Our hearts go out to everyone that’s been touched by this horrible incident.”
WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch. Credit: 7NEWSA 16-year-old boy has appeared in court charged with murdering his mother and attempting to kill his younger sister. Credit: 7NEWS
Forensics have spent a second day at the Bentley home, carefully going over the scene.
“We’re conducting a criminal investigation into the offence of murder,” Blanch said.
“We’ve got to make sure that crime scene has been deconstructed professionally through our forensics teams and investigators.
“The young person’s been charged and remanded in custody. Our job now is to start compiling what will be a very comprehensive and thorough brief of evidence.”
Bail was not considered and the teen is set to make another court appearance in August.
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