Meerstad girl shared footage of murdered parents with schoolmates; Town in shock
The teenage girl from Meerstad suspected of involvement in the killing of her parents allegedly shared images of the crime with other pupils at her school, Dagblad van het Noorden reported.
The 53-year-old man and 53-year-old woman, identified as Johan and Mathilda by locals, were found killed in their home in the Groningen town at around 2:45 a.m. on Thursday. The police arrested a child. It is believed to be the couple’s 13-year-old daughter, though the police have not confirmed anything about the suspect’s identity.
Schoolmates of the suspect told Dagblad van het Noorden that the girl had distributed images of her dead parents. The newspaper also reported that the family’s Golden Retriever had stab wounds. The police have made no statements about either allegation.
The authorities did report early on Thursday that a dog was present in the home. A neighbor had taken it in until the animal ambulance came to collect the pet.
The events have devastated the residents of Meerstad. “I am shocked and appalled,” a local told Hart van Nederland, calling what happened “very sad.”
A woman described the couple killed as “very sweet, quiet people,” speaking to Hart van Nederland. “The child was often alone, played alone a lot, and actually never talked.”
A classmate also described the girl as very withdrawn. “I think she was insecure; she didn’t talk much.”
The police are still conducting a full investigation into what happened. The child is in restricted custody, meaning that they are only allowed to have contact with their lawyer.
After a minor gets arrested, the police immediately notify the juvenile lawyer on duty in the region, who must get to the child within two hours, juvenile lawyer Sandy van Gorkum, who is not involved in the case in Meerstad, explained to NOS. A parent or guardian must also be present, even if it means appointing one.
A child may be detained at the police station for questioning for up to 9 hours and three 24-hour periods. After that, the child must be arraigned, and the examining magistrate will decide whether to extend their detention. If the child is to remain in custody, they will be transferred to a juvenile institution.
The Child Protection Council will also be called in to investigate the child’s circumstances and give advice. “Even in these kinds of complex cases, we look at what is best for the young person,” Van Gorkum said. “Juvenile criminal law is designed more to offer help than to actually punish someone.”
