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A 46-year-old woman has been charged with murder over the death of a 10-year-old girl whose throat was allegedly slashed at a home on the Gold Coast.
The girl's father is believed to have found the girl at their home in Emerald Lakes, in Carrara, just after 6pm on Tuesday.
He called triple-zero but paramedics were unable to save her. The arrested woman was known to the girl, police said.
'At this point in time we are treating the death of the 10-year-old girl as suspicious, and investigations are currently under way in relation to the demise of the girl,' Inspector Lou Serafim said before the arrest was made public.
'The triple-0 call was made by a relative who was at the incident scene when they located the 10-year-old girl.
'He is a relative and he is being very cooperative and is assisting police with the investigation.'
The man who made the emergency call was seen assisting police at the scene while wearing a blue forensic suit, The Courier-Mail reported.
The 46-year-old woman has been charged with murder and is due to appear before Southport Magistrates Court on Wednesday morning.
A 46-year-old woman has been charged over the death of a 10-year-old girl whose throat was allegedly slashed at a home on the Gold Coast
The girl's father is believed to have found her at their home in Emerald Lakes, in Carrara, just after 6pm on Tuesday
The 10-year-old girl was a Year 5 student at Emmanuel College - an elite school nearby.
Principal Dan Brown penned a school community letter on Wednesday morning to share his condolences.
'It is with a heavy heart that I inform you of a tragic incident that occurred in a home within Emerald Lakes last night, resulting in the passing of one of our beloved students,' the letter said.
'We are devastated by this incident and know it will profoundly impact our school community.
'Our prayers go out to the family and friends of the child, and we extend our deepest condolences to all those affected by this tragedy.'
Counselling and grief support services have been provided to students.
'Our priority is the wellbeing of our students and staff, and we will do everything possible to help our community over the coming days,' Mr Brown said.
'Please be assured we are here for all in our community – students, staff and parents – and these support services are available to anyone in need.
'While words cannot ease the shock and pain of such a tragic loss, please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you all.'
Insp Serafim said police officers and paramedics had walked into a 'quite traumatic' scene.
'These officers and the paramedics are receiving internal counselling in relation to the incident that they were exposed to,' she said.
Several ambulances were seen outside the home on Tuesday evening as police blocked off the street.
Forensics officers were seen entering the home and a gazebo has been set up outside the front.
The girl's shocking death has rocked the family-friendly community.
With its bustling weekly twilight market and $1million family homes, Emerald Lakes is the last place you would expect to see a horror like this unfold.
The suburb - a short 10-minute drive to the Southport business district and Surfers Paradise - sits on an idyllic lake, with restaurants and cafes lining the boulevard next to the water.
The girl's father called triple-zero but paramedics were unable to save her. The arrested woman was known to the girl, police said
Police and paramedics were called to the property but the girl could not be saved
The area is popular with families because it is self-contained, with a dentist, doctor and shops on the doorstep.
The suburb even has a seven-metre replica of Michelangelo's David on the waterfront - where houses stretch out onto two smaller islands.
Nearby Emmanuel College takes children from Kinder through to Year 12, while Carrara Stadium down the road hosted the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Central Place - where the horrifying incident took place on Tuesday evening - is a quiet cul-de-sac shaded by rows of trees.
Neighbours spoke of their horror when news broke of the girl's death.
Inspector Lou Serafim said a male relative called triple-zero after finding the girl dead
Chris Sydes, who lives nearby, told the ABC he was 'heartbroken'.
'It's just terrible news. Humans, adults you can, sort of, understand but … a little child. That's terrible,' he said.
'It's just a terrible, terrible event, terrible, breaks your heart. Shouldn't happen in this street.'
One woman wrote in a local community group: 'I live just down the road and I'm in complete shock, my heart goes out to this family, I cannot imagine what they must be feeling. RIP little angel.'
'This is my neighbourhood, our community, I'm crying, total shock, hold your loved ones even closer, what is happening to this world! RIP ANGEL, sending you all the love you deserve,' said another.
Forensics officers were seen entering the home and a gazebo has been set up outside the front
Police blocked off the street following the grim discovery on Tuesday night
A Queensland Police spokesman said: 'Police have arrested a 46-year-old woman following the death of a 10-year-old girl in Carrara overnight, August 13.
'Police attended the residence just after 6pm last night, where the girl was located unresponsive.
'Emergency services attempted to revive the girl; however, she was declared deceased at the scene.
'The 46-year-old woman, who is known to the girl, was located by police nearby around 10.25pm and taken into custody.
'Investigations are ongoing.'
