The deaths of a 17-year-old girl, identified as Mia, and her 26-year-old boyfriend, Marcus, are under investigation by police and the coroner after their bodies were discovered in a "squat house" in Ballarat, Victoria, on June 22. The scene reportedly contained drug paraphernalia.
Mia had been in state care since she was 14, with the state government holding legal guardianship. Her daily care and housing were managed by Berry Street, a residential care facility. Her grandmother, Michelle, is questioning the circumstances surrounding Mia's death, alleging it resulted from neglect. "Why would they shut her bed?" Michelle asked. "She didn't die from drug use, she died from neglect."
According to reports, Mia's bed at the Berry Street facility was closed with less than a day's notice approximately two days before her death.
Coronial Inquest Details
The coroner's court was informed that while under state care, Mia had a history of going missing 94 times and had complex mental health issues. She also used drugs, including GHB and methylamphetamine. The court heard that Mia was allegedly in an abusive relationship with Marcus and that the couple used drugs together, with Mia experiencing multiple overdoses. Her grandmother stated that Mia's life began to deteriorate at age 14 when she became involved with an older man.
Mia's death is believed to have been caused by carbon monoxide poisoning from a barbecue or grill found in the room where she and Marcus were discovered.
Concerns Over Residential Care
The incident has drawn attention to the conditions within Victoria's residential care homes. Months prior, it was reported that children in these facilities were openly using drugs. An email from a senior manager at Berry Street in December 2024 indicated that some staff at three facilities, including Ballarat East, reported experiencing adverse health effects such as headaches and stress, possibly due to second-hand exposure to substances. The email mentioned plans for surface swab testing to assess substance exposure risks.
A spokesperson for Berry Street stated that they could not comment on the specific case due to the ongoing coronial inquest, but acknowledged the death of any young person as a tragic loss.
Victoria Police are expected to present their findings to the court in November. The ABC has altered names for legal reasons. The Daily Mail has contacted Victoria's Department of Families, Fairness and Housing for comment.