A 17-year-old girl has been charged with murder after her 10-year-old sister was allegedly stabbed to death in the New South Wales Hunter region. NSW police said emergency services responded to reports of a stabbing at a home in Boolaroo, approximately 20km west of Newcastle, at about 3.45pm on Monday. “My thoughts go out to the mother at home having lost a 10-year-old tragically and now … her other daughter is facing court allegedly responsible for killing the 10-year-old,” Det Supt Daniel Doherty told reporters on Tuesday. “It’s a tragic circumstance. It’s hard to imagine.” NSW police earlier said in a statement that paramedics had treated the 10-year-old girl at the scene for multiple stab wounds “however she died at the scene.” Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup Officers arrested the 17-year-old girl at the home. “She was taken to Belmont police station and is currently assisting with inquiries,” police said. The teenage girl was charged with murder and refused bail to appear at a children’s court on Tuesday. “A crime scene has been established as investigations continue,” police said.