Young Chinese exchange student who arrived in Australia just days before allegedly murdering 14-year-old girl refused bail
A 13-year-old Chinese student who was in the country on an exchange program was charged with the murder of a 14-year-old girl following an incident in the suburb of Edgeworth on Monday night.
A woman and a man believed to be aged in their 50s had been hosting the girls, and the woman found the alleged victim with a wound on Monday night after hearing a "commotion of some sort", police said.
Both young teenagers arrived in the country from China on July 28, and had been set to return home on August 16.
The girl was initially refused bail, and The Daily Telegraph has reported she was formally refused bail when her matter was called in Broadmeadow Children's Court on Wednesday.
Magistrate Andrew Eckhold on Wednesday said it was clear mental health was a factor and that the accused girl had an 'extraordinary' number of medications with her, according to the masthead.
Her matter is next set to be called on October 7.
Emergency services rushed to a house on Euston Close in Edgeworth on Monday after reports of a stabbing at around 10.20pm.
Police officers found a teenage girl with an injury to her torso, and she later died at John Hunter Hospital.
A crime scene was established at the Newcastle home and was examined by forensic personnel, and Strike Force Agnes was launched to investigate the circumstances surrounding the girl's death.
The 13-year-old was arrested at the scene before later being charged with murder.
Lake Macquarie District Commander, Superintendent Tracy Chapman, said both she and the alleged victim are from China and came to Australia as part of program where they stay with local hosts and attend a local school.
"We're not aware of any other relationship between the two young girls, other than they were both part of this program and staying with the host family," Superintendent Chapman told reporters.
The officer said police were "not of the belief" that the girls knew each other before arriving in the country, but said that was yet to be confirmed.
Superintendent Chapman said a knife had been found at the scene.
"It does appear to be a knife that was from the location, from a particular drawer at that location. And certainly at this point in time, we anticipate that is the weapon that was used to inflict the injury," Superintendent Chapman said.
The girl who died is yet to be formally identified.

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