A 13-year-old Chinese exchange student has been charged with murder following the stabbing of a 14-year-old girl, also from China, at a residence in Newcastle, Australia.
The incident occurred around 10:20 PM on Monday at Euston Close, Edgeworth, where authorities responded to reports of the stabbing. The 14-year-old was found in critical condition and received treatment from paramedics before being transported to the hospital.
The girl is set to appear in children’s court on Wednesday to face murder charges.
Tracy Chapman, director and commander of the Macquarie Lake Police District, noted that both girls had recently arrived from China as part of a program that pairs them with host families in Australia.
They were enrolled in local schools and exploring the Hunter region.
“They came to Australia just eight days ago and were scheduled to return on August 16th,” Superintendent Chapman remarked.
NSW Police are collaborating with program facilitators to ensure all necessary protocols and notifications are followed.
The two girls had been living with a couple, sharing accommodations that included a private bedroom for each.
“Everyone had gone to their respective rooms for the night when one of the hosts heard some sort of commotion. Upon checking, she discovered the 14-year-old,” Chapman explained.
Authorities are still looking into the nature of the relationship between the two girls and whether any previous history exists between them.
Principal Chapman added that language barriers presented challenges in the investigation, highlighting the need for cooperation with the consulate, given that the girls are not Australian citizens. “This added a layer of complexity that required some time to navigate,” she noted.
Police have recovered a knife related to the incident.
