Girls who stabbed a 12-year-old could be locked in a psychiatric ward and sued for damages

The two children who stabbed a 12-year-old girl in Germany could be locked up in a mental hospital or sued for damages by the victim’s family – but the killers, aged 13 and 12, cannot be prosecuted.

Luise was stabbed more than 30 times with “a nail file” in “revenge” after she told an adult that her attackers had been bullying her for months, according to German newspaper Bild.

Other theories state that she was killed after fighting over a boy.

Her body was found in a pool of blood in a wooded area near the town of Freudenberg a week ago, on March 12, the same day one of her killers reportedly posted a dancing video on TikTok.

Under German law, children under the age of 14 are minors and cannot be charged – but there are other means of punishing Luise’s killers.

The two girls have now left Freudenberg and could be “in a youth welfare facility, possibly in a psychiatric ward,” judge Thorsten Schleif told Bild.

The victim, known only as Luise, was found in a pool of blood in a wooded area near the North Rhine-Westphalian town of Freudenberg on Sunday after being stabbed more than 30 times

Luise, 12, was stabbed more than 30 times with “a nail file” by two girls, aged 13 and 12, “in revenge” after she told an adult they had been bullying her for months, according to German newspaper Bild . Other theories state that she was killed after fighting over a boy

Whether they are placed in a closed facility depends on whether they are seen as a danger to themselves or others, he added, to be determined by the youth welfare services responsible for 13- and 12-year-olds.

Cell phones and leaving the premises of the closed facility would be prohibited, with fixed times for school and therapy.

The girls could also be sentenced to pay compensation to Luise’s family once they start making money – an order that could last for 30 years.

Children from the age of seven can be sentenced to damages under German civil law, provided that the child was aware that they were doing something “harmful”.

Getting a new identity to start a new life in another city is also unlikely for the young attackers. “This is neither a duty nor a rule,” said judge Schleif.

The girls and their families are expected to move away from Freudenberg permanently.

The child therapist Miriam Hoff does not believe that the girls can return to a “normal life” in the foreseeable future: “It takes years of therapy to process such a crime.

“Also crucial: Do the perpetrators have personality disorders that manifested early on? Or do you have a history of mental illness?’ She said.

Another psychologist, Dr. Albert Wunsch, added: “If they both grew up in good social structures and acted in the heat of the moment, they will face guilt for their actions throughout their lives.”

The brutality and the lack of remorse also indicated a conscious act, he told Bild: “Luise’s death was not an accident. She was not pushed into a fight and hit her head. There are many indications that it was not an act in the heat of the moment.”

The future of the two teenage girls depends on the youth welfare office, which will decide how to deal with the girls responsible for Luise’s murder, Ms Hoff said.

Flowers and candles were placed where Luise’s body was found in the forest near Freudenberg

Luise’s disappearance triggered a hectic search operation using helicopters, sniffer dogs and drones

In order to decide the best course of action, one would also have to involve the parents, explained Dr. Wish.

They were asked whether there were any signs of growing conflict behavior among girls, how the girls obtained the murder weapon and how the parents could live on after their children’s crimes.

In view of growing calls to lower the age of criminal responsibility in Germany, Justice Minister Marco Buschmann told Bild on Sunday: “Such serious crimes must not go unnoticed.

“Children under the age of 14 will not be prosecuted. However, our legal system already has the tools to respond to serious acts of violence by children under the age of 14.”

Such means include the transfer of attackers to closed facilities or homes in psychiatric institutions.

Other means could be to help the parents raise their children or to place the girls in foster care – the latter only with the approval of a family court of the parents themselves.

According to media reports, the 13 and 12-year-olds are currently living separately from their families, presumably in a youth welfare office. They are reportedly still in contact with their families.

Luise disappeared on Saturday afternoon, March 11, after staying overnight with the 13-year-old friend at her home in the Hohenhain district, two miles from Luise’s own home.

Although they have known each other for years, rode the school bus together and were even in the same class at school, it is not clear why Luise and her killer met, given the allegations of bullying.

Later that day, the 12-year-old joined and the trio headed to a nearby forest. There they are said to have stabbed Luise more than 30 times in a case that shook Germany.

Luise’s body was found in the woods the following day, March 12, after her parents reported the girl missing on Saturday afternoon, prompting a massive police search of the area.

The two girls, who were discovered by a neighbor when they went into the forest with Luise, “made statements about the matter and finally admitted the crime,” said Florian Locker, head of the Koblenz police homicide unit.

Luise disappeared on Saturday March 11 after staying overnight with the 13-year-old friend at her home in the Hohenhain district, two miles from Luise’s home

A book of condolences for Luise and a card with the inscription “We mourn for Luise” are on display in the Evangelical Church in Freudenberg

After the stabbing, the girls returned to the 13-year-old’s home, where the younger girl was later picked up by her father.

After that, the older girl called Luise’s parents and told them a lie. Luise went home at 5:30 p.m. and wanted to let her know when she had arrived.

Since Luise had not called, the 13-year-old is said to have called her several times because she was “concerned” about her, even though she knew where Luise really was: stabbed and left to die in the forest.

Police said the two girls gave conflicting statements during the search and later when questioned, and both eventually confessed on Monday March 13.

The two girls attended the same school as Luise and are said to have been friends.

The suspects’ parents have moved away for the time being, but are still in contact with their daughters.

Luise’s disappearance triggered a hectic search operation using helicopters, sniffer dogs and drones. When she was found dead from multiple stab wounds, the community in the small town of just 18,000 was shocked.

Police said Monday March 20 they had given up trying to find the murder weapon – allegedly a nail file – after being unable to find it after a week-long search.

A book of condolences for Luise and a card with the inscription “We mourn for Luise” are on display in the Evangelical Church in Freudenberg.