Magistrate condemns child protection failure after 14-year-old left alone in Geraldton lock-up
A magistrate criticised child protection officials for not providing a guardian for a 14-year-old girl who spent a night in Geraldton police lock-up and then appeared in court alone.
The magistrate described it as appalling that a teenager in state care was left without an adult escort for her court hearing after being held overnight in the Geraldton lock-up. Child Protection staff did not attend the proceeding, leaving the girl unsupported. The judge said she will file a formal complaint against the department and urged the girl's lawyers to do the same.
Why it matters
It exposes serious lapses in child protection oversight, risking the safety of vulnerable minors.
In this story
magistratechild protectionteenagerGeraldton lock-upcourt appearanceformal complaint
