A 12-year-old Perth girl, who gave birth earlier this month, was impregnated by her 14-year-old stepbrother.

In a shocking twist of events, it’s been revealed the dad of the healthy child was living in the same house as the girl when she fell pregnant at the age of 11.

It’s understood the girl had no idea she was pregnant until she went into labour at the family’s Perth home.

She was later taken to King Edward Memorial Hospital where she gave birth to the healthy child.

A Department of Communities spokesman said it was working closely with police and the Health Department to ensure the welfare of all three children.

“The department is unable to comment on situations like this in order to protect the privacy of the individuals and their families,” a spokesman told The West Australian .

Previously, the department confirmed the young father was “known” to the young mother.

West Australian Police Commissioner Chris Dawson said the situation was centred around welfare.

“It’s a very delicate, sensitive situation but we’re primarily concerned about making sure the right support mechanisms are in place,” he said.

“While there is a police investigation, it’s primarily centred on the welfare.”

The Department of Communities said it did not comment on individual cases, but a coordinated response was required from the state government and external support agencies, in both the short and long term.

According to the WA Health Department, in 2017, three girls aged 13 or under gave birth, with a similar figure for 2016.

In total in 2017, 91 women aged 16 or younger gave birth and the youngest registered mother who was 12.

A dozen 12-year-old girls have given birth in WA since 1980.

The department says the teenage birth rate has dropped from 1.2 per cent in 1980 to 0.3 per cent in 2017.

Federal indigenous health minister Ken Wyatt said he was “troubled” knowing the young mother would not experience a normal childhood.

“She’s not going to have the same journey as every one of us in this room that have gone from being a child, to a teenager, to a young adult, and then being in a position to make a better informed decision,” he told reporters in Perth.

“Nevertheless, I have no doubt that her family will give her and her child support — but it doesn’t make it right.”

— With Wires