While the identities of her accused killers remain shrouded under the protective veil of the controversial Youth Criminal Justice Act, the name and photo of Toronto's first murder victim of 2008 was released on Thursday. 

The teenaged girl, stabbed to death on New Year's Day, has been identified as fourteen-year-old Stefanie Rengel (pictured). 

The daughter of two Toronto police officers was found on  Northdale Blvd., near St. Clair and O'Connor with a severe wound to the abdomen.  She died later in hospital.

A 17-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl were subsequently charged with first-degree murder.

They made a brief appearance Thursday.  The two teens stood before a judge in a Toronto courtroom and were remanded into custody until January 16th.

In court, the boy mouthed the words, "I love you" to his co-accused.  CityNews has learned that police believe the 15-year-old girl was motivated by jealousy and they allege she urged the older boy to commit the grievous act.  

But the accused girl's lawyer vehemently denies the charge, and doesn't think the charges against his client will hold up in court.

"She wasn't present, and in order for her to be a party she would have had to do something to abet by way of exhorting him or encouraging the other person to commit the crime," explains attorney Marshall Sack. "And I don't see where that evidence is, not based on what I have so far."

Sack admits his client may have been mad at the victim and expressed a wish to see something happen to her. But he notes wishes and actions are two different things.

"In the synopsis I have that I was given by the Crown, it makes no reference at all to my client's involvement in the actual crimes, except to say that my client is alleged to have indicated at some point in time that she wanted the deceased not to be alive. Beyond that, I see nothing and that's not first-degree murder. All of us, all of us in our daily lives express feelings, but very few of us know something's going to happen."

Her parents are angry, claiming they were contacted by police and asked to bring their daughter in simply as a witness. Not long after she arrived, her mother and father were stunned to discover she'd been implicated in the horrific crime and taken into custody.

Meanwhile, the victim's parents are making their own outrage clear. The stepmother of the slain teen posted a message on her daughter's  Facebook page, arguing the law that also protects the identity of the accused should be changed.

"Your dad and I are missing you terribly," she writes. "Our world will never be the same. We love you so very much and don't know how we will ever go on ... Thank you to all the friends/strangers out there for all the kind words. Let's together do something about changing this Youth Criminal Justice Act."

The Crown has already indicated it hopes to seek adult sentences for the duo. The older of the two turns 18 on Saturday.

Stefanie's stepmother has left several messages on Facebook in the section dedicated to her daughter. Here are just some of her comments.  Spelling and punctuation are left intact.

"to my beloved step daughter Stefanie. your dad and i are missing you terribly. our world will never be the same. we love you so very much and don't know how we will ever go on. Your mother/brother and everyone else in the family are devastated. Know that both your parents, and brother were by your side at the hospital. Your grandparents are on their way home from FLA later today. Your other siblings, as young as they are miss you terribly.

"Thank you to all the friends/strangers out there for all the kind words. Let's together do something about this changing this youth criminal justice act. We want these monsters to be tried as Adults for First Degree Murder!!! Take this to your local politician and fight.

"We love you Stef and miss you. You will forever be in our minds/thoughts and prayers. God Bless you Always. God will take good care of you."

The other comments on Facebook are equally poignant, a mixture of outrage and sympathy. Here are some random samplings, with spelling intact.

"I only met you once, but you were so sweet, joyfull and adorable. I send sympathy to your family, friends and everybody you made your wonderfull impact on, stuff like this should never happen."

"stephanie, i think i was one of the few people who you have known the longest,
i have known you since kindergarden,(courtice) and through all the many times you moved houses, you always called me, and always wanted to stay in touch, i loved that,
you had a huge heart and were so kind and energetic, you were my 1st best friend. i dont understand how this could happen, specially to someone like you.

i love you and miss you more then ever.
your in a much happier place now,
and ill see you when i get there."

"R.I.P Stephaniee.
Sorry we didnt get to know each other that well, but know that it still makes a difference
to me that you aren't here."

"I want you to know how sorry I am for your loss. I know right now no words will bring comfort to you and the family. Everyone is here for you, please don't hesitate to reach out for ANYTHING.

Stefanie and the whole family will be in my prayers."

"Through the church we ended up spending a lot more time together than we ever would have. You were a great girl and you always stood up for what you believed and you always stood up for others when they were in need. You were such a fun girl to hang out with. It never was dull when i was with you, and i'll always remember that time when we were on clean-up duty on pancake tuesday, and we got bored and ended up throwing all the leftover batter at each other. you were a great woman and you will be missed."

"Oh Stef.......i don't know what to say, my heart goes out to your family and friends, i don't understand why such a beautiful young girl was taken away from this Earth, no one understands....u will be missed by the many people u touched....xox...R.I.P."

"Our most heartfelt sympathy to all of you. As bereaved parents, we know the pain you feel at this time. May the knowledge that others share your pain help to ease the searing pain of losing a child."

But maybe the most heartbreaking comment of all is contained in one simple sentence that consists of just four well chosen words.

"this world disappoints me."