10-year olds accused of mutilating goldfish in sickening spree at Adelaide kindergarten

Two ten-year-olds have been arrested over a sickening vandalism attack on a northern Adelaide child care centre.

Pet gold fish were mutilated with scissors and rooms defecated in when five children aged 10 and under allegedly broke in on Sunday.

They trashed walls and computers, urinated and defecated on the floors and covered the rooms in paint.

Kindergarten director Jill Rogers said children were very attached to their pet fish. Photo: 7 News
Kindergarten director Jill Rogers said children were very attached to their pet fish. Photo: 7 News

But their most shocking act was smashing a fish tank and cutting up the fish with scissors.

A pet budgie is missing too.

As parents arrived to the news on Monday morning, some were reduced to tears.

Kindergarten director Jill Rogers said the children were very attached to the fish.


Mother Trinity Scannell said she was disgusted to learn what had happened over the weekend.

“The parents are definitely accountable for it and they should pay for the damages too, and the children should come back for punishment and do some cleaning,” she said.

As ruined equipment was taken away, donations were coming in from staff and parents.

A new fish tank was quickly donated. Photo: 7 News
A new fish tank was quickly donated. Photo: 7 News

Liz Brydon said she was happy to do whatever she could to help while Ms Rogers said replacement books were already being donated.

There was a new fish tank too.

The centre’s insurance will cover the cost of repairing the damage but that will take time.

The donations mean the children are not arriving to empty rooms and play areas.