North Yorkshire PoliceA 15-year-old girl has been charged with the murder of seven-year-old Katie Rough, police have said.
The teenager was arrested after Katie was found seriously injured near a playing field in York on Monday.
She was also charged with the possession of an offensive weapon, the BBC reports.
PAKatie, who was described as a ‘kind and thoughtful child’, was found on a track after police were called to an address in Woodthorpe.
Neighbour Rob McCartney, 50, who reported seeing a body lying in the field, said he heard sirens and saw a woman shouting for an ambulance.
He said:
I spoke to her later, asked if she was OK and she said ‘No, no, she’s my little girl’.
Jon Stonehouse, director of children’s services at City of York Council, said the ‘tragic incident’ had ‘shocked the city’ and specialist support was being offered to pupils at Katie’s school and the wider community.
PAFlowers and cards were left near the field, including one that read: “Night night my darling princess Katie. Love nana and grandad.”
Police have appealed for anyone who may have seen the two girls in the area of Morrell Court, Bellhouse Way, Osprey Close and Alness Drive between 3pm and 5pm on Monday to get in touch.
The girl will appear at York Magistrates Court on Wednesday morning.
