Teenager faces court over murder of 13-year-old Wimmera girl

A Children's Court judge has said there are reasonable grounds to suggest a teenage boy committed the murder of a 13-year-old Wimmera girl.

The 16-year-old boy fronted a Children's Court of Victoria on Friday by video link from youth prison.

He is accused of murdering Layla Jeffery, whose body was found in bushland on July 9 after being reported missing from Donald, near Horsham, on July 5.

Judge Jack Vandersteen, the president of the children's court, said: "[The accused has] been charged as a single person and therefore as the principal."

He said there were reasonable grounds to believe the accused committed the offence, and that an item believed to have been at the scene of the alleged offending had been found.

Judge Vandersteen granted a police application to get a new DNA sample from the accused, after chief crown prosecutor Kristie Churchill KC asked for the boy's previous sample to be destroyed.

The judge informed the teenage defendant that if he did not comply with the mouth swab, police could use reasonable force to obtain it.

"They will ask you to do it yourself and if you don't, they will do it," the judge said.

The accused replied: "Alright."

When asked if he had any questions for the judge, the accused said: "No, your honour."

The accused attended his court appearance wearing a black beanie and a black T-shirt layered over a white long-sleeve top, with Judge Vandersteen asking him to remove the beanie at the start of the hearing.

After doing so, the teenager slouched down with his elbows on his knees for the rest of the hearing — periodically stretching, yawning and looking up at the camera.

The case has been adjourned until September 10.