Woman charged over daughter’s murder dies in hospital
A woman charged with murdering her daughter has died in hospital after being found unresponsive in her cell at a correctional centre.
A mother accused of fatally stabbing her three-year-old daughter has died after being found unresponsive while in custody.
Lauren Ingrid Flanigan, 32, died in hospital on Sunday after being found unresponsive in her cell at Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre, Queensland Police confirmed.
Flanigan suffered a medical emergency in her cell on Friday night and was rushed to Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
“This is standard practice for all deaths in custody,” Queensland Corrective Services said in a statement on Monday.
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Flanigan was being held until her next court appearance in July, after being charged with murder a week ago.
Neighbours had called triple-zero after seeing a young child unresponsive in the front yard of a Moore Park Beach home, north of Bundaberg, about 4.45pm on May 26.
When emergency services arrived, they found a three-year-old girl, identified as Flanigan’s daughter Sophia Rose, with several wounds. She died at the scene.
Two other children, aged one and two, were also at the property at the time, but neither was injured.
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Both are in the care of their father.
A GoFundMe set up for Sophia Rose’s father and siblings has so far raised $55,000.
Family friend Connor Thompson, who has organised the fundraiser, remembered Sophia Rose as a sweet child with an infectious laugh that could light up the room.
“Her smile was like a ray of sunshine and her heart was as pure of gold,” the fundraiser said.
“Though her time here was short, the love she gave and the joy she shared will stay with us forever.”
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