If formally charged, the 12-year-old could be placed in a juvenile detention facility, potentially remaining there until the age of 24 under current law.
Speaking on Polish Radio on Wednesday, Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek said: “We can only talk about placement in a correctional facility at this stage, but this can be very serious, because today the law allows a child to remain there even until the age of 24.”
The motive behind the alleged attack remains unknown.
Authorities reported that the victim sustained injuries from a sharp knife, identifying the 12-year-old as a possible suspect.
Minister Żurek noted that if the girl is committed to a youth facility, courts could determine a lengthy period of confinement - potentially equivalent to the sentence an adult would receive for a homicide of this kind.
Żurek also highlighted the need for broader systemic measures to prevent similar tragedies.
The politician said he would meet with the interior minister to discuss potential reforms, including whether stricter laws alone would be effective, or whether attention should focus on children’s access to online content and improved monitoring of at-risk minors.
“There is no perfect system that could have prevented this tragedy,” Żurek noted.
“This is an unprecedented situation where one child attacks another. We need to examine whether the girl had family problems, whether her family was dysfunctional, or whether there were undiagnosed mental health issues, which can sometimes emerge in dramatic ways.”
The minister also urged parents to reflect on their responsibility in protecting children.
“We face a serious discussion about how to safeguard our youngest against aggression, unrestricted access to online content, and isolation online. Busy parents often hand over tablets or phones just to have peace, but this can leave children vulnerable,” he added.
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Source: PR1/Polish Radio English Service