Arabic version: تحقيق قضائي في وفاة مراهقة من فيكتوريا كانت تحت رعاية الدولة

According to ABC News, 17-year-old Mia and her 26-year-old boyfriend, Marcus, were found dead on June 22 in a Ballarat “squat house” without running water or power. A coroner heard they died from carbon monoxide poisoning believed to have come from a barbecue or grill in the room. Drug paraphernalia was found around their bodies.

Mia had lived in residential care from age 14. Her grandmother, Michelle, and mother, Ava, alleged that her bed at a Berry Street facility was closed less than a day’s notice two days before her death. The ABC understands Mia had been approved to live in a “safe house” with a woman known to have an extensive criminal history, but Mia and Marcus went to a house where they had occasionally stayed.

The coronial inquest heard Mia was under a care by secretary order, meaning the Victorian government retained legal guardianship while Berry Street was responsible for her daily care and housing. The court also heard she had gone missing 94 times, had a complex mental health history, and used GHB and methylamphetamine. Methamphetamine was found in her system after her death.

The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing said it could not comment while the matter was before the Coroners Court, adding that the death of any child was tragic. Berry Street said further comment would be inappropriate because an active investigation was under way. It did not respond to questions about the alleged closure of Mia’s bed, her reported presence at the squat house, or its awareness of her relationship with Marcus. Victoria Police is expected to provide findings to the court in November.