A man and woman have been charged with murder following the death of a 12-year-old girl on the Gold Coast.
Emergency services found the child unresponsive after being called to a home in Coomera in April, 2022.
The youngster, who suffered from a number of medical issues, including the extremely rare Rett syndrome, was unable to be revived.
Detectives from the Gold Coast Child Protection and Investigation Unit quickly launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the girl’s death.
Following extensive investigations under Operation Uniform Zoysia, detectives this week arrested a 37-year-old man and a 36-year-old woman, both known to the child.
Both were charged with murder and were due to front Southport Magistrates Court today.
Detective Inspector Paul Fletcher from the Gold Coast District Vulnerable Persons Unit praised the dedication of officers who worked on the “difficult case”.
“The investigation into the death of this young girl has been one of the most heart-wrenching and complex we’ve had to conduct,” Detective Inspector Fletcher said.
“From the moment the investigation commenced, our priority has been to seek justice for this innocent child, who was tragically failed by those known to her.
“It is deeply distressing to investigate the death of any child, but the circumstances surrounding this case have been particularly confronting for our officers.
“Our detectives have worked diligently, using every resource available to ensure we could bring this investigation to a close and ensure that those responsible face the full weight of the law.”
Detective Inspector Fletcher also acknowledged the impact the case has had on the community and those close to the victim.
“We understand the grief and pain this has caused the community, and we hope these arrests bring some level of comfort to those who knew and loved this young girl,” he said.
“While nothing can undo the tragic loss of life, we are committed to ensuring justice is served.”
