Updated ,first published
A teenage boy arrested over the stabbing death of his mother and a violent attack on his 12-year-old sister on Tuesday morning has been described by a source close to the family as a ticking time bomb with a history of violent offending that left the family desperate for support they never got.
Police were called to a Bentley address early on Tuesday morning, where they found a 35-year-old woman dead, having allegedly been killed by her 16-year-old son.
WA Police Major Crime Acting Inspector Jessica Securo said the woman’s daughter was also stabbed inside the family’s home around 6.15am, before managing to run to the nearby Albany Highway, where bystanders provided her with life-saving first aid.
“While the investigation remains in its early stages, police are investigating this as a suspected family violence homicide,” Securo said.
“This incident will have a significant impact on the family, friends and loved ones of all those involved … our thoughts are with them all, particularly the 12-year-old girl.”
However, sources close to the family told this masthead the boy had recently been released from Banksia Hill Detention Centre, and that he had been before the justice system on a number of occasions.
He allegedly had a history of severe assaults, grievous bodily harm and breaking and entering, and had been identified as “a troubled child from a troubled family”.
There was concern that he would reoffend, the source said, and the family “reached out for support” that was never received.
The family was allegedly known to the child protection system.
“He was failed by the courts,” the source said, after explaining that the boy had lived “a transient lifestyle” since he was 10 or 11 years old.
“There was concern that he would reoffend, there was concern he would be a career criminal. They reached out for support and got nothing.
“His family loved him. It’s a sad tragedy.”
Securo said the 16-year-old boy was arrested at the house when police arrived, but is yet to be charged.
She said he was known to police, and detectives were examining any previous interactions the family or boy had with authorities.
First responders have been offered counselling due to the confronting nature of the scene.
The 12-year-old girl was rushed to hospital and is in a serious but stable condition.
Detectives remained at the scene on Tuesday afternoon collecting evidence.
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