A SERIOUS case review has been launched into the death of 12-year-old Tia Sharp.
The schoolgirl's remains were found at the home of her grandmother Christine Sharp in New Addington, south London, last Friday, more than a week after she was reported missing.
Stuart Hazell, 37, her grandmother's partner, appeared in court yesterday charged with her murder.
Merton Council, which has responsibility for Mitcham, where Tia lived with her mother Natalie, said it was "standard procedure" to carry out a review.
Chief executive Ged Curran said: "Our thoughts and condolences go out to all those who knew Tia.
"The local safeguarding children board will now commission a serious case review, the standard procedure in a tragic case such as this. The review will be assisted by the police, health services and local authorities."
Serious Case Reviews are carried out when a child has died and look at the role played by local agencies in the life of that child and their family. The review aims to find out if any lessons can be learned about ensuring children's safety.
Hazell's arrest followed a massive search for Tia that involved about 100 police officers and countless members of the local community after she was reported missing from her grandmother's home.
Despite visiting the terraced house in The Lindens several times during the week, investigators only found Tia's body on Friday evening and have since apologised to her mother for the delay.
The body is yet to be formally identified, but Tia is named as the victim in the murder charge.
A post-mortem examination was paused on Saturday night and is expected to recommence this week.
Hazell was remanded in custody after appearing by video-link at Camberwell Green Magistrates' Court in south-east London. No plea was entered to the charge, which accuses him of murdering the youngster between August 2 and 11. He is due at the Old Bailey tomorrow.
His 46-year-old partner was arrested on suspicion of murder and later bailed pending further inquiries. Her neighbour, Paul Meehan, 39, was bailed after being arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.
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