‘Crying out for a long time’: Premier’s vow after mum charged with murder of 3yo daughter Sophia Rose dies in hospital

Answers have been demanded after a mum charged with the murder of her three-year-old daughter died in hospital days after being found unresponsive in her cell.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said the death of a mother accused of murdering her three-year-old daughter was “proof” the state’s correctional facilities required “some focus”.

Lauren Ingrid Flanigan, 32, was charged with the murder of her three-year-old daughter Sophia Rose, who was allegedly stabbed “multiple” times in the front yard of their home in Moore Park Beach, near Bundaberg, last week.

Days later, Flanigan was found unresponsive in her cell at Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre.

She was rushed to the Princess Alexandra Hospital in a critical condition, and died on Sunday night.

Lauren Ingrid Flanigan, who was charged with the murder of her daughter Sophia Rose, has died in hospital days after she was found unresponsive in her prison cell. Picture: Supplied

On Monday, Mr Crisafulli said the state government would not “brush (the incident) under the carpet” and vowed to undertake a thorough investigation to determine the circumstances of the incident.
“I think it’s important that we don’t brush it under the carpet, and this is the proof that there is some explanations that are needed,” he said per the Courier-Mail.
“We owe it to everyone involved, people who work in the facility, families of people who tragically lost their life, to get to the bottom of it and we will.”
When asked if there were concerns with overcrowding and under-resourcing across the correctional system, Mr Crisafulli vowed to “bring some focus” to the facilities.
“They’ve been crying out this for a long time,” he said.
“That’s why we do have a big focus on making sure that we bring some of the facilities that have been sitting in the pipeline for too long, bring them to market, and also look at other ways of making sure that we can accommodate people safely.”

Premier David Crisafulli has vowed Flanigan’s death will be investigated. Picture: NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

Ms Flanigan’s death was confirmed by a Queensland Corrective Services spokesman.

“QCS will assist the Queensland Police Service in preparing a report for the coroner,” the spokesman said in a statement.

“This is standard practice for all deaths in custody.

“Support is being offered to the responding officers and their colleagues.”

Sophia Rose was allegedly stabbed by Flanigan. Picture: Supplied

In their own statement, Queensland Police said: “Police will prepare a report for the coroner following the death of a 32-year-old woman, who was found unresponsive in her cell while in custody at Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre on Friday, May 30.”

“Queensland Corrective Services (QCS) officers provided immediate assistance before paramedics transported the woman to hospital, where she died last night, June 1.”

Police at the scene of the Moore Park Beach after the three-year-old girl was found deceased. Picture: Supplied

Emergency services were called to a home in Moore Park Beach about 4.45am Monday May 26.
Police and paramedics located the child’s body and the 32yo in the front yard of the house.
Queensland Police Acting Superintendent Brad Inskip described it as a “horrific scene” and a “terrible tragedy for everybody”.

“There were multiple wounds to the child’s body” he said.

“It was a horrific scene, a terrible incident for everybody – including the witnesses, including the emergency services, police and ambulance officers who attended and the investigators doing the ongoing investigation.
“This is not something we ever want to attend and want our people to have to deal with,” he added.
A bladed knife was seized from the scene and the woman was arrested and charged with the murder of the 3yo.

Jai Ruane, Sophia’s father, has claimed the systems designed to protect his child have ‘failed’. Picture: Supplied

Flanigan regularly posted images of her pregnancy on her social media accounts. Picture: Instagram

The horrific incident has devastated the small Bundaberg community – with Sophia’s father Jai Ruane claiming the systems designed to protect his child had “failed”.

“This could have easily been prevented,” he said.

“The system failed us and now my daughter Sophia has paid for it with her life.”
Mr Ruane was not at the property at the time of the incident.
He told 9News that Sophia was a “bubbly” little girl who was “just full of life and love”.

“Always smiling, always wanting to help,” he said, adding she was the “light of his life”.
“She just had a huge heart,” he added.
On social media, Ms Flanigan shared images of her baby bump in 2021 alongside her two other children.

In posts, the woman urged people to “remember who you are” and resist the “system”,. “trauma” and the “lies of fear”.

“You are ROYALTY. You are CHOSEN. You are HOLY. You are a WARRIOR OF LIGHT,” she wrote.

“Train like it’s war — because it is. Discipline is deliverance. Refine your algorithm. Refine your soul. God is calling His army out of hiding.”

The 32-year-old was found unresponsive in her high security cell. Picture: Supplied

On Sunday evening, hundreds of locals attended a vigil held in Sophia’s honour at Moore Park Beach.

The vigil was organised by the Moore Park Community Association, with attendees dressed in pink glitter and sparkles as they blew bubbles, and lit candles in the child’s memory.

One of Sophia’s educators from Kids and Co, Libby French, told the Courier Mail the community lit candles to represent the “light Sophia brought into our lives”.

“We loved her in the little moments – in the way she twirled, in the way she laughed, in the way she held our hands without hesitation,” she said.

“She loved back, so openly, so beautifully.”

A vigil was held to remember the three-year-old. Picture: Paul Beutel

The vigil ended when everyone was invited to dance to the child’s favourite song, Barbie Girl by Aqua.

Kids and Co educator Miss Emmy read a poem in the child’s honour.

“She danced in pink with sparkly wings, and filled our hearts with joyful things,” she read.

“With every crayon, every step and spin, she let the light and laughter in.
“Though she’s now beyond our view, her magic stays in all we do.

“A little fairy flying high, she paints the stars across the sky.”
A memorial was set up at Moore Park Beach, with the community laying flowers and stuffed animals at a small beach box at the beachfront.
Guests at the vigil included friends and educators from Sophia’s daycare as well as the local community.

The community played Sophia’s favourite songs and danced in her honour. Picture: Paul Beutel

Following Sophia Rose’s death, a GoFundMe was launched by family friend Connor Thompson, who described the three-year-old as a “sweet little girl with big eyes and 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,” he wrote.
Mr Thompson said Sophia “always wanted to help and was the best big sister to her baby brother and sister”.
“Though her time here was short, the love she gave and the joy she shared will stay with us forever,” the fundraiser read.

A memorial has been set up for Sophia. Picture: Liam Kidston

“In the wake of an unimaginable tragedy, a grieving father and little boy and girl is left to cope with the devastating loss of their beloved daughter and sister,” Mr Thompson said.
“Her life was taken far too soon, leaving behind a family and community shattered by sorrow.”
The fundraiser has since raised more than $55,000 of its $65,000 goal.
“Your donations will help this father and his family through the emotional toll of this tragedy,” the campaign read.
“No amount is too small – every contribution provides a small light during this dark time, allowing him to focus on healing and honouring the memory of his precious daughter.”

Originally published as ‘Crying out for a long time’: Premier’s vow after mum charged with murder of 3yo daughter Sophia Rose dies in hospital