Vic nurse had 'gut feeling' about teen

A nurse had a "gut feeling" a troubled teen patient who later took his own life was in a sexual relationship with his carer.

Mandy Sharpe got that impression when the 16-year-old was in a Ballarat Hospital recovering after taking too much medication, but says she didn't feel her suspicions were enough for a mandatory report.

She told the inquest into Kyle Ray Charles Sears' death in 2013 she had instead passed the information on to the head nurse.

"I didn't feel like I had any grounds to report anything," Ms Sharpe told the Victorian Coroners Court on Wednesday.

Ms Sharp was not treating Kyle in June, 2013, but she had learned from a colleague he was confused about his sexual orientation and not living at home.

Also, nurses had confiscated Kyle's phone because he became agitated following texts or phone calls from his guardian, Wayne Schefferle, 49, a man he'd met online.

"It led to a gut feeling," Ms Sharpe said.

"I could have just as easily been wrong."

Ms Sharpe passed her suspicions on to the head nurse and suggested it be followed up with the treating doctor.

"I just wanted some questions asked," Ms Sharpe told the inquest.

The inquest has heard Kyle fled his South Australian home in January after his father discovered he was gay, and moved in with Schefferle.

Victoria's Department of Health and Human Services was told in February that Kyle may be at risk, and a Victoria Police report that month also flagged concerns Kyle was being groomed.

But no steps were taken by DHHS until Kyle himself contacted them.

In May, when Kyle was interviewed by DHHS, he told them he and Mr Schefferle were just housemates and did not have sex.

Child protection did not attempt to interview Mr Schefferle.

No efforts were made to obtain information about Kyle's child protection history from SA and Kyle's file was closed on May 15.

Families SA knew Kyle had threatened suicide on two occasions and had a traumatic childhood.

In June he was admitted to hospital after taking tablets, and discharged.

On July 3, 2013, Kyle suffered major burns and later died in hospital.

The inquest will resume on Thursday.

* Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline's 24-hour telephone counselling service on 0800 543 354.