10-Year-Old Girl Stabbed To Death By Mother Who Was Found Harming Herself With Knife

A 10-year-old girl was stabbed to death in what officials described as a "senseless and horrific act of violence."

Police did not immediately confirm the suspect's identity, but reports later said it was the child's mother who stabbed her to death inside a California residence.

Oakland Police Department deputies were dispatched to an address on Bancroft Avenue after receiving a report about a possible shooting or stabbing Monday, CBS News reported.

No evidence of a shooting was found at the scene. A knife with blood on it was found outside, Interim Chief Darren Allison told reporters after the incident.

The 911 caller told officers at the scene that the suspect murdered the girl. Police then forced their way into the apartment and found the 10-year-old girl with serious stab wounds.

The child was provided first aid but did not survive. She was pronounced dead after emergency medical personnel arrived.

Police said the girl sustained stab wounds across her neck.

"As a parent, I know that there's nothing more that tears at the heart than the loss of a child," Allison said.

The suspect was still at the scene when officers arrived and was "harming themselves" with a knife. She was transported to a hospital with self-inflicted stab wounds and was taken to the hospital in critical condition.

The motive behind the stabbing was unclear.

A city council member spoke to KRON4 and said the suspect was the child's mother.

"For me to hear that a 10-year-old lost their life by the mother it is insanity," Oakland City Councilmember Noel Gallo told the outlet.

Gallo also spoke to the girl's father following the stabbing.

"Now seeing the father here and some of the relatives ... it's just really painful. I just can't believe that's going on here," Gallo added.

Allison said the police department never received any calls in the past about the suspect or the victim being involved in any kind of domestic violence.

People with any information about the incident can call Oakland Police Department's homicide division at 5102383821.

If you have thoughts of suicide, confidential help is available for free at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Call 1-800-273-8255. The line is available 24 hours, every day.