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Tiahleigh Palmer's final pleas for help merely days before murder

Less than week before her death, murdered schoolgirl Tiahleigh Palmer sought refuge at a stranger's house 7 News can exclusively reveal.

The Department of Child Safety was notified at the time, however the concerns were dismissed as lies.

The stunning revelations have offered a rare insight into the mind of a seemingly scared schoolgirl.

The 12-year-old made the shocking admission to the virtual stranger that she didn’t want to go home. Source: 7 News.

The explosive text message from Tiah's foster mother to the witness. Source: 7 News.

The 12-year-old made the shocking admission to the virtual stranger that she didn’t want to go home.

“She asked if she could stay with me and I said I'm sorry you can't stay with me because I don't really know you for a start,” the witness told 7 News.

A week before Tiahleigh Palmer was reported missing, she had left school with this woman's niece.

They caught a bus to her house and a scared Tia did not want to leave.

She told the woman at the time she was in trouble at school and also said she feared what would await her at home.

The 12-year-old made the shocking admission to the virtual stranger that she didn’t want to go home. Source: 7 News.

“She did tell me that if she did go home she was going to get in big trouble and that's why she didn't want to go home," the witness told 7 News.

The witness then told 7 News she phoned the Browns Plains office of child safety.

When the witness told the department the schoolgirl didn’t want to return home the witness said she was dismissed by the case worker.

“She told her to go home, back home and convince her to go back home”.

“They are kids and they tell stories,” the case worker also allegedly told the witness.

Then Tiahleigh's foster mother Julene Thorburn was informed of her whereabouts and contacted the witness via text message.

However when Julene (pictured above) arrived to pick up Tiahleigh the witness confronted her about Tiahleigh's claim. Source: 7 News.

“Thank you and if she is worried about it tell her that just Julene is coming and she isn't it (in) trouble,” the text message read.

“She said I don't want to go home,” the witness told 7 News.

However when Julene arrived to pick up Tiahleigh the witness confronted her about Tiahleigh's claim.

“Her response was she lies all the time and kids tend to tell stories,” the witness told 7 News.

Just six nights later police will allege Julene's husband and Tiah's foster father Rick Thorburn killed her in the family home before dumping her body near the Pimpama River.

The next day, Friday morning, the witness received a text message from Julene Thorburn.

"Hi it's Tia's foster mum Julene Tia has run from school again first thing this morning if you hear anything or if anyone has seen her today could you let me know,” the text message read.

"I spoke to *beep* and she said she hadn't seen her all day. I hope you found her,” the witness replied.

Julene sent this text message about Tiahleigh to the witness. Source: 7 News.

Julene then replied, “Okay thanks we really have no leads this time police are following up on friends and some other contacts and your number is on the list since she came there last week so hope someone knows something regards Julene.”

The witness has not been identified as she fears retribution.

She has since spoken to police and has encouraged other to do the same.

Also speaking with detectives today was Tiaheigh's mother Cyndi in a bid to get an update on the investigation.

Earlier today, Tiahleigh Palmer’s grandmother made explosive claims that just months before her death Tiahleigh has confided to her that she had a “crush” on Trent Thornburn, according to News Corp.

Tiahleigh was reportedly given the opportunity to return to her biological mother’s care, but the 12-year-old wanted to remain in the Chambers Flat foster home to stay close to 19-year-old Thornburn.

“She said she wanted to stay because of the boy and because she loved the horses on the property that they have there,” Tiahleigh’s grandmother told News Corp.

“We didn’t have any idea as to what was actually happening there – just that she had a crush on the boy and that was the main reason she wanted to stay.”

There was an alleged incestuous relationship between Tiahleigh and Trent, and police allege that Tiahleigh’s foster father Rick Thorburn killed her.

Rick Thornburn had been in an induced coma for the past two days and has since woken up on Thursday morning.

Rick, 56, was charged with killing the girl at the Chambers Flat property on October 29 before driving to the banks of the Pimpana River and dumping her body.

He was taken to hospital after reportedly taking pills he had managed to obtain while in custody and collapsing shortly after being charged with murder on Tuesday.

Trent Thorburn faces charges including incest and perjury. Image: Facebook

Trent Thorburn has been charged with incest.

Police ethical standards command is investigating the circumstances around his collapse and reports he may have obtained and swallowed pills while in custody.

His case was yesterday adjourned until December with his lawyer, Kelly Thompson, revealing her client was in an induced coma.

It has also been suggested that at the time he may have suffered a cardiac incident.

Trent Thorburn faced court and was denied bail as police outlined their case against him in court on Wednesday.

The girl's biological mother Cindy Palmer watched from the gallery as it was alleged he'd confessed in a Facebook Messenger conversation with a cousin that he'd had sex with Tiahleigh and feared she might be pregnant.

Police also alleged he'd repeatedly lied during their murder investigation and was determined to do all he could to avoid a prison sentence for his alleged crimes.

Julene Thornburn, 54, and the Thorburns' older son Joshua, 20, have also been charged with perjury and perverting the course of justice.

They're set to face court on October 10.

Police have today resumed their hunt for clues into the death of the Queensland schoolgirl at the home of her foster family.

The 12-year-old's foster mother Julene assisted police at the Chambers Flat property south of Brisbane on Wednesday as her teenage son faced court.

Tiahleigh's 19-year-old foster brother Trent Thorburn faced court and was denied bail as police outlined their case against him in court on Wednesday. Source: Facebook.

The Thornburn family (pictured above) had operated a family day care business following Tiahleigh's death until police provided intelligence in April to authorities that resulted in their approvals being revoked. Source: Facebook.

Child Services Minister Shannon Fentiman announced Queensland's blue card system would be reviewed following the allegations against Tiahleigh's foster carers.

Ms Fentiman also revealed the Thorburns had operated a family day care business following Tiahleigh's death until police provided intelligence in April to authorities that resulted in their approvals being revoked.

The 12-year-old's grandmother yesterday said the Department of Child Safety had let down Tiahleigh, as had her foster father.

"DOCS, they'll do anything they like but when it comes to looking after the children they fall short terribly," Sue Palmer said.

"You know how often they go around and visit the children in the homes? Rarely."

News break – September 21