<p>
	A 16-year-old Co Dublin schoolgirl, who is six months pregnant and beyond the control of her family, has been committed to secure care by the High Court.</p>
<p>
	Barrister Sarah McKechnie, who appeared for the Child and Family Agency, told the court that the teenager, who cannot be identified, was so vulnerable she was at considerable risk.</p>
<p>
	Ms McKechnie said the girl had a learning disability which placed her in a vulnerable position given that she had the cognitive functioning of an 11-year-old.</p>
<p>
	She told Mr Justice Bernard Barton the girl was suicidal and demonstrated a high-risk behaviour.&nbsp; She had little understanding of the danger she was putting herself in.</p>
<p>
	The court heard she lived with her father but had been absconding regularly. She had admitted having taken drugs.</p>
<p>
	Ms McKenchie said the situation was extremely urgent and the Agency was concerned of the high level of risk both to the teenager and to her unborn child.</p>
<p>
	She said the girl had been missing for a number of days even after finding out she was pregnant.&nbsp; She had developed a smoking habit and had admitted to drinking alcohol.</p>
<p>
	Judge Barton heard the girl rarely attended school and the Garda&iacute; were concerned about her socialising with a negative group. There had been repeated incidents of her having failed to return home.</p>
<p>
	Ms McKenchie said the girl&rsquo;s father had been extremely concerned about his daughter&rsquo;s behaviour and had supported the application to have her placed in secure care.</p>
<p>
	Counsel said her mother had not been informed of the application before the court for fear she would alert her daughter who might again abscond.</p>
<p>
	There had been a concern that without secure care the girl would continue to abscond and would pose an increasing risk to herself in terms of drug and alcohol abuse and sexual activity.</p>
<p>
	Ms McKenchie said the Agency was aware that the order of the High Court could be very traumatic for the young girl and that she would be informed in &ldquo;a reasonably gentle manner.&rdquo;</p>
<p>
	Judge Barton directed that the girl be taken into secure care.</p>
<p>
	<a href="http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/vulnerable-schoolgirl-16-who-went-missing-after-learning-of-pregnancy-has-been-committed-to-secure-care-by-the-high-court-30517134.html">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/vulnerable-schoolgirl-16-who-went-missing-after-learning-of-pregnancy-has-been-committed-to-secure-care-by-the-high-court-30517134.html</a></p>
