A 17-year-old Victorian girl in state care has been found dead alongside her boyfriend, triggering investigations by police and the coroner.
The bodies of the teenager, known as ‘Mia’, and her 26-year-old boyfriend, ‘Marcus’, were discovered in a Ballarat property described as a ‘squat house’ on June 22.
Drug paraphernalia was found around the pair, according to the ABC.
Just two days before her death, Mia’s bed at the Berry Street residential care facility was allegedly closed with less than 24 hours’ notice.
Mia had lived in residential care since the age of 14 and was under a care by secretary order, which meant the Victorian government held full legal guardianship. Berry Street, however, was responsible for providing her day-to-day care and accommodation.
Her grandmother, Michelle, is now demanding answers from authorities.
‘Why would they shut her bed?’ Michelle said. ‘She didn’t die from drug use, she died from neglect.
‘In state care, this has been allowed to happen. She was found dead in a squat house.’
Mia’s body was found in a property described as a ‘squat house’ after her bed at a care home was closed
The vulnerable 17-year-old, who was under state care, had been living in Ballarat in Victoria’s west
Mia’s death, which is subject to a coronial inquest, is believed to have occurred due to carbon monoxide poisoning from a barbecue or grill in the room.
During a recent hearing, the coroner’s court heard that while under the care of the state, Mia had gone missing 94 times, had a ‘complex mental health history’, and took drugs like GHB and methylamphetamine.
She was also in an allegedly physical abusive relationship with Marcus, with the couple also taking drugs together where Mia suffered multiple overdoses.
Michelle said Mia’s life started to derail when an older man began targeting her when she was 14, ‘beating her black and blue.’
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Mia had been raised by Michelle due to her own mother’s drug dependence and being in an abusive relationship, according to the ABC.
A week before her death, Mia’s grandmother begged her to come home.
‘I would speak to her all night on the phone begging her to come back,’ Michelle said.
Victoria Police is expected to present its findings to the court in November.
A coroner has heard that while under the care of the state, Mia had gone missing 94 times, had a ‘complex mental health history’ and took drugs
The news comes months after it was revealed children in residential care homes across Victoria were openly using drugs, including ice, with some staff so concerned that they reported experiencing second-hand side effects.
In an email to staff on December 2024, Berry Street wrote that some staff at three of their facilities, including Ballarat East, were worried they were drug-affected at work due to the second-hand exposure.
‘Some staff reporting… their health [is being affected] by the substances, such as headaches and stress, within three homes so far,’ an email from a senior manager to staff reads.
‘We will conduct surface swab testing to inform us if any substances are identified to assess any substance exposure risks to our staff and young people in our care.’
When contacted by the Daily Mail on Monday, a Berry Street spokesperson said they were unable to comment on the matter, citing the coronial inquest.
‘Berry Street acknowledges that the death of any young person is a tragic loss for their family, friends and the broader community,’ the spokesperson added.
The Daily Mail has contacted Victoria’s Department of Families, Fairness and Housing for comment.
*The names have been changed for legal reasons.
If this story affected you, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 and Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.