{
  "id": 7166398,
  "title": "Ballarat girl in child protection system found dead in squat house",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/ballarat-girl-in-child-protection-system-found-dead-in-squat-house",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-13T19:59:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-14/victorian-girl-dies-in-state-care/107080104"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A 17-year-old girl named Mia passed away in a squat house in Ballarat, along with her 26-year-old boyfriend, Marcus. The coroner determined they died from carbon monoxide poisoning likely caused by a barbecue or grill. Mia had been living in residential care since she was 14, a last resort for children unable to live at home. Two days before her death, Mia's caregivers at Berry Street, her residential care facility, abruptly closed her bed due to an unspecified reason. Mia had been approved to live in a safe house with a woman with a criminal history, but she and Marcus instead chose a squatting house they occasionally stayed in. Mia's grandmother, Michelle, said she was raised by her grandmother after her mother's drug dependence and abusive relationship. An older male predator targeted Mia around the age of 14, repeatedly assaulting her. Despite reports of drug use and an abusive relationship, Mia was allowed to stay in the squat house where she died. The state of Victoria is currently conducting a coronial inquest into Mia's death, and Berry Street, her residential care provider, has not commented further on the matter.",
  "summary": "A 17-year-old girl and her 26-year-old boyfriend were found dead squatting inside a Ballarat house that had no running water or power.",
  "key_points": [
    "17-year-old Mia died in Ballarat from carbon monoxide poisoning.",
    "Mia lived in residential care since age 14, placed there due to family issues.",
    "Coroner's inquest ongoing, Berry Street hasn't commented further."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}