Lauren Ingrid Flanigan, 32, charged with murder following death of girl, 3, at Moore Park Beach
The father of a little girl allegedly killed by her mother has spoken out in the wake of the tragedy, describing the three-year-old as the “light of his life”. NEW VIDEO
QLD News
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The Queensland woman charged with the murder of her three year old daughter wrote chilling posts about her battle against ‘the system’, trauma and her love for her ‘divine babies’.
Lauren Ingrid Flanigan, 32, posted repeatedly about her beloved children, including one poignant post featuring multiple photos.
But on Tuesday she stands charged with the murder of her three-year-old daughter, Sophia.
Acting Superintendent Brad Inskip said police received multiple triple-0 calls after the three-year-old girl was stabbed multiple times in the front yard of her home.
“Police located a three-year-old child in the front yard of that address,” Superintendent Inskip said.
“Despite multiple attempts from QPS and QAS to apply first aid to that child, that child unfortunately died due to the injuries that she had received.
“There were multiple wounds to the child’s body.”
The girl’s mother was found in the front yard of the home and taken into custody before being charged with murder.
The girl’s father, Jai Ruane, was not home at the time.
Speaking to nine news on Tuesday night, Mr Ruane described little Sophia as “bubbly” and the “light of his life.”
“Always smiling, always wanting to help,” he said of Sophia.
“Just full of life and love.”
“She just had a huge heart.”
Police have seized a knife from the home allegedly used as the murder weapon.
“There were two other children at the address at the time, both younger – aged one and two. Neither of them were injured in the incident yesterday, and they're currently being cared for by family members.”
“He (the father) is with the children at the moment and no doubt absolutely devastated.’’
Superintendent Inskip said the family’s history – including any possible police, departmental or mental health history – would form part of the investigation.
“There’s no indication that there was any long, intensive history with police.”
He said the incident was “horrific” for those who witnessed and attended.
“No doubt it was a horrific scene. It's a terrible, terrible thing for everybody, including the witnesses and neighbours, including the emergency services who attended … because it's not something that we ever want to attend.”
The house has been declared a crime scene and specialist police have travelled in from Brisbane to assist with the investigation.
Witnesses told this publication they heard the mother of three shout after she allegedly stabbed one of her children in front of horrified neighbours.
Police would not comment on what was said, saying it was now before the courts.
A neighbour who wished not to be identified said they saw the woman being consoled by two residents in the gutter of the front yard.
The neighbour said they also saw the three-year-old girl laying on the front yard with her hair splayed behind her.
Overnight, witnesses reported hearing a male screaming.
The father of the children, who reportedly travels for work, was not at home at the time but it is understood he returned to the home after being notified by police.
A distressed man was seen on his hands and knees in despair.
“He is with the children at the moment and no doubt absolutely devastated.’’
Another neighbour, who asked to not be named, said she looked after one of the children while police began their preliminary investigations on Monday evening.
She said she and two other women known to the children entertained them away from the tragic scene and out of the eye-line of their mother who they feared might try to attack them.
She said they were fortunately too young to understand the gravity of the tragedy that unfolded on Monday afternoon.
As a part of their ongoing investigation, police have marked two tags on the road, neighbours said it was where the mother of three “ended up”.
Posts by Ms Flanigan on Instagram show her pride in being a mum with pictures of a growing baby bump back in April 2021.
This publication understands she had been attending Alive Church in Bundaberg since last year with Sophia dedicated only in recent times.
“As a church family, we are hurting,’’ senior pastors Adam and Joey Ryan said in a statement.
“We are now wrestling with the same questions many of us are.
“Unfortunately, “Why?” is not always easily answered.
“Lauren’s story is a heartbreaking one that led to tragedy.
“We are here to support the family and friends of those involved and our prayers are with the Bundaberg community.
“Alive Church’s doors are open to those that are hurting, lost and broken, determined that they would find freedom and hope but these are tragic circumstances.
“Our hearts are heavy.”
The pastors said young Sophia would be dearly missed by the church community.
“Sophia was a beautiful little girl. Radiant, happy and just a little bit cheeky,” they said.
“She brought a burst of joy to every room she entered and she will be dearly missed.”
Community members on Tuesday night attended a memorial at the church to remember the “beautiful, radiant” young girl.
Members of Alive Church Bundaberg hugged and cried while remembering Sophia.
Music was played while members sang and prayers were read.
Pastor Ryan said they opened the church on Tuesday night to offer up prayers after a number of tragic events over the past few weeks.
“I’ve heard said over and over again, what is going on,” he said.
“Tonight we create a space where we pray and we process and we mourn how you want to do it
“Tonight we offer up prayers for friends and family’s directly impacted by these events.
“We prayer for the loss of life of one of our own.
“A beautiful, radiant, far too often cheeky life. Little Sophia.”
Pastor Ryan said there was no formula or rules just a safe space to gather together.
“Pray how you want to pray mourn how you want to mourn,” he said.
“To the friends, the families, the loved ones, those have been impacted by recent tragedies. We pray for each of those.”
Many of Ms Flanigan’s recent Instagram posts talk about rising up, and ‘to remember who you are’.
Her profile trumps: “Faith. Family. Future. Fitness. Built for wealth. Wired for freedom. Digital Systems. Elite Strategy. No Excuses’.
“You are a WARRIOR OF LIGHT,’’ her final post reads.
“Train like it’s war — because it is.
“God is calling His army out of hiding.
“This is kingdom rising.
“We move. We build. We burn with holy fire.
“No more delays. No more compromise.
“Tag your generals. It’s time to RISE.”
Another says she used to think the most valuable thing she could do was to be successful in a career and earn the highest hourly rate.
“But then I realised the most valuable thing I could create was time.
“Time to watch my babies grow. Time to breathe. Time to live. Time to love.
“We weren’t created to just work, pay bills, and survive the week.
“We were made to create memories together, lasting legacy, joy, freedom and smiles.
“I have given my life to serve.
“I have a beautiful little family who remind me of love daily.
“A community that uplifts me, a church that grounds me.
“Yes, there are challenges.
“Yes, there are areas that still need refining.
“But I wake up every day with breath in my lungs and fire in my spirit.”
In another post, Ms Flanagan says people are shaped ‘by the rocks we’ve been broken against, the storms we didn’t think we’d survive”
“This is how our Creator sees us.
“Not defined by the damage, but deeply loved for the story we carry.
“Earth is our shoreline, and heaven is watching, whispering, “Look how beautiful you still are.”
Ms Flanigan’s legal representative made no application for bail when her case was briefly heard in Bundaberg Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
The court heard a brief of evidence was being prepared by police.
Ms Flanigan was not required to appear in person and the case was adjourned to the Bundaberg court until July 21.
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Originally published as Lauren Ingrid Flanigan, 32, charged with murder following death of girl, 3, at Moore Park Beach
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