Queensland Police cordon off the Carrara residence. (ABC News: Jessica Lamb )
In short:
A 10-year-old girl was found unresponsive at a Carrara residence on Tuesday evening.
She was declared deceased at the scene.
What's next?
A crime scene has been declared and investigations into the circumstances are underway.
Police have launched a homicide investigation after a 10-year-old girl was found dead at a Gold Coast property.
Emergency services were called to a townhouse on Central Place at Emerald Lakes at around 6pm on Tuesday.
The young girl was located unresponsive and declared deceased at the scene.
She lived at the property, police said.
District Duty Officer Inspector Lou Serafim said a relative phoned triple-0 and was speaking with police.
"A 10-year-old girl was located deceased in the unit. At this point in time, we're treating the death as suspicious," she said.
"Investigations are currently underway in relation to the demise of the girl."
District Duty Officer Inspector Lou Serafim said a forensic investigation was underway. (ABC News: Alexandria Utting)
Inspector Serafim said the next of kin had been notified.
"I don't know what has occurred in relation to how the girl has passed but as the inquiries come out we will obviously look at which way the investigation will go from there," she said.
Inspector Serafim said first responders were being offered counselling after attending the confronting scene.
"My staff that attended and first responders … have entered a scene that is quite traumatic," she said.
Nearby resident Chris Sydes said it was "heartbreaking" to hear what had happened.
He said he had seen the young girl in the street only days ago.
"I've been home all day and I haven't heard anything, I had my dogs dropped off at 6pm and all of a sudden police started showing up," Mr Sydes said.
"I've since found out what's happened. It's just terrible news.
"It's devastating to hear that little girl [is dead]. It's heartbreaking, this shouldn't happen, it's just terrible.
"Humans, adults you can, sort of, understand but … a little child. That's terrible."
