Inquest into death of New Plymouth girl, 12, concludes as agencies face scrutiny

A 12-year-old Taranaki girl died by suspected suicide in 2017. An inquest into her death opened this week.

WARNING: This story discusses the suspected suicide of a young girl.

Years of abuse, neglect and missed opportunities to intervene were laid bare by a young woman whose words left a coroner in tears.

“The adults and agencies who were aware of our circumstances had opportunities to intervene,” she said.

“In my view, they did not do enough to protect us.”

The young woman gave a statement at the conclusion of an inquest into the death of her whānau member, a 12-year-old girl she believed would still be alive today had someone listened and stepped in.

The girl, who cannot be named, died by suspected suicide on June 27, 2017.