An investigation into the tragic death of 10-year-old Biddy Porter has exposed a distressing gap in understanding about mental health among some parents. The mother of the teenager responsible for Biddy's killing told an inquest that she did not grasp the concept of mental health and instead consulted a naturopathic herbalist regarding her daughter's concerning behaviour. This lack of awareness had devastating consequences, as the 14-year-old was later found to be suffering from schizophrenia and acute psychosis.
The tragedy occurred on 8 July 2020 at a rural property in New South Wales. Two weeks prior, Biddy died after being killed by her teenage carer during school holidays. The teenager has been in custody since her arrest and remains under the oversight of a mental health review tribunal.
According to evidence presented during the inquest, the teenager's mental state had been deteriorating for some time before the killing. She had begun self-harming, exhibited an interest in knives, and displayed detachment from reality. Psychiatrists involved in the case concluded that she was experiencing acute psychosis at the time of Biddy's death.
The inquest heard that after a disturbing incident involving six chickens on the family property in June 2019, her parents failed to seek professional help for their daughter. When questioned about this decision, the mother explained that mental health issues were not something she was familiar with or understood. "Mental health wasn't on my radar," she stated. Despite consulting a naturopathic herbalist who advised seeking medical attention, the mother did not act until her daughter disclosed intrusive thoughts about killing others.
The inquest, led by NSW state coroner Teresa O'Sullivan, is investigating whether systemic failures and missed warning signs contributed to Biddy's death. This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of recognising and responding to serious mental health concerns, particularly among young people.