UPDATE: Foster family face charges over Tiahleigh Palmer's murder

Foster brother was worried he might have made the 12-year-old pregnant.

Tiahleigh Palmer’s foster brother was worried he might have made the 12-year-old pregnant before she was allegedly murdered by his father, a court has been told.

Trent Thorburn, 19, faced Beenleigh Magistrates Court in September on charges including incest and perjury.

The court heard that Trent Thorburn admitted to having sex with Tiahleigh via Facebook Messenger shortly before her disappearance and said he was worried she might be pregnant, reports 9 news.

His application for bail was denied by magistrate Pamela Dowse.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Elen French said Thorburn had obstructed police during the investigation and that he and his family had betrayed Tiahleigh’s trust.

“The victim was put in care and protection of the defendant and his family,” Sgt Elen French told the court.

“This defendant betrayed her trust. He abused his position as big brother and took advantage of her.

“A consequence of that is her young life has been taken.”

Foster Mother, Julene, 54, and her other son, Josh, 20, have been charged with perjury and attempting to pervert the course of justice, and will face court on October 10.

UPDATE 21 November

The former foster mother and brother of murdered schoolgirl Tialeigh Palmer have returned to court.

Julene and Joshua Thorburn, have been charged with perjury and attempting to pervert the course of justice, over the police investigation into the death of the 12-year-old.

Their lawyer previously indicated the pair intent to plead guilty, and have agreed to testify as witnesses for the prosecution.

Nine news reports, the foster mother will now face a sentencing hearing next year alongside her son.

Julene, 54, and son Josh, 20, will face Beenleigh District Court at a date to be set after pleading guilty to one count each of perjury and attempting to pervert the course of justice last week.

Previous news on this story

The foster father of Queensland schoolgirl Tiahleigh Palmer has been charged with her murder.

It has also been reported this afternoon that the 19-year-old son of her foster father has been charged with incest, perjury and attempting to pervert the course of justice over her death.

The man was today taken into custody earlier today by officers from a joint Homicide and Logan District investigation along with two other men and a woman, reports 7 news.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday afternoon, Detective Inspector Damien Hansen said the group were all known to each other.

“These persons are being questioned. They are known to each other. They are in custody,” Inspector Hansen said.

Inspector Hansen said two of the people were “located” at addresses known to police.

“The others were intercepted at a shopping centre,” he said.

The news comes after Queensland Police confirmed that the blue sedan seized by officers last week in relation to the murder of Tiahleigh Palmer once belonged to the schoolgirl’s foster father.

Previous news on this story…

Tiahleigh Palmer’s remains were located on the banks of the Pimpama River, near Kerkin Road North at Pimpama on the evening of November 5, 2015.

Acting Regional Crime Coordinator Detective Superintendent Mark White said that police have a dedicated team of detectives that have been working tirelessly on the investigation.

“As a result of extensive ongoing investigations police have today seized a vehicle of interest which will be forensically examined.” Detective Superintendent White said.

Police are appealing for anyone who may have seen a 2009 blue coloured Ford XR6 sedan in the vicinity of Kerkin Road North, Pimpama around October 30 to contact Crime Stoppers.

“We’d also like to remind the public that the reward and indemnity is still being offered and police would encourage anyone who has information that could assist with investigations to come forward.” Detective Superintendent White said.

A $250,000 reward and indemnity is being offered by the Queensland Government for information into the homicide which leads to the apprehension or conviction of the person/s responsible for the murder of Tiahleigh Palmer.

Investigations are continuing.

Anyone with information which could assist with this matter should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au 24hrs a day.

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