A 13-year-old girl has been charged with murder after a woman’s body was found at a house in Northamptonshire.
Northamptonshire Police said the minor is also charged with arson with attempt to endanger life.
The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested on Monday following the discovery of a body in a house in Newcomen Road, Wellingborough, shortly after 3am that morning, police in a press release on Tuesday.
According to the force, formal identification has not yet been confirmed, but the body is believed to be that of Marta Bednarczyk, a 43-year-old mother of three.
A forensic post-mortem investigation, which was conducted at Leicester Royal Infirmary on Tuesday, gave the preliminary cause of death as being a result of sharp force injury, Northants Police said.
Police and firefighters had attended the address following reports of fire at the property, the force said.
Inside, officers found the woman’s body. She was declared dead by paramedics at the scene at 3.29am, the press releasecontinued.
A scene guard remains in place on Tuesday night and police have asked people to avoid the immediate area.
Detective Chief Insp Johnny Campbell, the senior investigating officer from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit said: “This evening we have formally charged a 13-year-old Wellingborough girl with murder, and arson, and she will appear before Northampton Magistrates Court at 10am tomorrow.
“I want to take a moment to thank the many police officers and staff who are working and continue to work tirelessly on this investigation since the very tragic events of early yesterday morning.
“And, in particular, all our thoughts are with Marta’s family who have been fully co-operative throughout what has been a devastating couple of days for them.
“Given the developments this evening, we will be making no further comment at this time,” he added.
