A 12-year-old girl, who was detained at St. John’s Police Station for several hours following a welfare check, has returned home after an incident where she allegedly bit a female officer during attempts to restrain her. The incident occurred after police visited the child’s residence late Monday night, prompted by her mother’s report of her missing. The girl had returned home shortly after midnight, but officers proceeded with the welfare check, leading to the confrontation. During the encounter, the child reportedly became aggressive, resulting in her being taken into custody and placed in a cell until late afternoon. This has sparked concerns over whether the procedures outlined in the Child Justice Act were properly followed. According to a source familiar with child-protection law, the case treads a fine line between compliance and breach. The Act mandates that a social worker from the Youth Intervention Unit must assess the child before they are brought before the Child Justice Board. However, there is no immediate indication that these steps were taken. The incident has raised significant questions about the handling of juvenile cases and the adherence to legal protocols designed to protect children in such situations.