Chinese exchange student, 13, charged with murdering 14-year-old

A 13-year-old Chinese exchange student has been charged with murder over the alleged stabbing death of a 14-year-old girl at a home in Newcastle, Australia.

The 14-year-old, also an exchange student from China, was found with a single wound to her torso at Euston Close, Edgeworth, about 10:20 p.m. on Monday, after police were called to reports of a stabbing.

She was treated by paramedics at the scene before being rushed to hospital in a critical condition.

The younger girl will appear in a Children’s court on Wednesday on the murder charge.

Superintendent Tracy Chapman, commander of the Lake Macquarie Police District, said both girls were from China, having traveled to Australia as part of a program where they stayed with local residents who acted as hosts.

They were attending a local school and visiting locations around the Hunter area.

“They arrived in Australia eight days ago and were expected to depart Australia on the 16th of August,” Supt Chapman said.

“NSW Police continue to work with the program facilitators to ensure that all of the appropriate processes and notifications are being undertaken.”

The two young girls were staying with the same hosts, a man and a woman. They had their own bedrooms.

“All parties had retired to their rooms for the evening when one of the hosts heard a commotion of some sort, and when she went to investigate, she located the 14-year-old.”

Police are not aware of any relationship between the two girls and are investigating whether or not there was any history between them.

Superintendent Chapman said language barriers were a factor and they are working with the consulate as the girls were not Australian residents so there were “obvious complications and complexities with that, which is why it’s taken us some time to work through”.

Police have taken possession of a kitchen knife.