Support for 3yo girl after mum’s death

The community has rallied around a young girl whose mother was allegedly murdered by her partner in a house fire last week.

The three-year-old girl is the daughter of Erica Hay, whose body was found by emergency services in a back bedroom of her Warnbro home in Perth’s south last Friday.

Luke Hanif Sekkouah, 35, and the three-year-old girl were taken to Rockingham Hospital by ambulance after suffering from smoke inhalation.

Arson squad detectives attended the scene and began working with Department of Fire and Emergency Services fire investigators to determine the cause of the blaze.

Mr Sekkouah was later arrested by police and faced Northbridge Magistrates Court on Sunday charged with Ms Hay’s murder.

Ms Hay’s young daughter is now being cared for by Emily McKeating who has previously cared for the child.

Katie Kingston has organised a fundraiser on GoFundMe for the pair after Ms McKeating took “unpaid leave to ensure this beautiful little girl had some stability and familiarity around her”.

“I am fundraising for the biggest heart I know,” she said.

“Beautiful Emily is currently caring for the (girl), who’s mum was tragically killed on Friday.

“Emily has previously cared for (her) but has no equipment, toys or clothing for her as a result of the house fire.”

The page has so far raised more than $2400.

Ms Hay’s death came two days before thousands of people marched through the streets of Perth to protest violence against women.

The protest was held in conjunction with other mass demonstrations that took place around the nation after a rise in the number of woman killed this year.

This year, one woman has been killed every four days in Australia — almost double the same figure last year.

The Prime Minister announced on Wednesday that the federal government would invest $925m over five years to help women escape violent relationships.

He said the government would also establish a Leaving Violence Payment to help with the financial cost of leaving a violent situation for people experiencing intimate partner violence.

“Those eligible will be able to access up to $5000 in financial support along with referral services, risk assessments, and safety planning,” he said.

“This commitment builds on measures put in place by our government to help address financial barriers to escaping violence.”