Qld mother charged with murder of toddler daughter
<p>A Central Queensland community is reeling after a mother was charged with the alleged murder of her three-year-old daughter in a shocking incident that unfolded in the front yard of a home in Moore Park Beach, near Bundaberg.</p>
<p>Lauren Ingrid Flanigan, 32, was arrested on Monday afternoon after emergency services responded to multiple triple-zero calls from concerned neighbours. Police and paramedics arrived at the Regency Road residence just before 5pm, where they discovered the young girl with multiple stab wounds. Despite their best efforts, she was pronounced dead at the scene.</p>
<p>Flanigan, who was allegedly found by police in the front yard, was taken into custody and later charged with one count of murder. She did not appear in Bundaberg Magistrates Court on Tuesday when her case was briefly mentioned.</p>
<p>The child's father, who was away for work at the time of the incident, has since returned home and is said to be devastated. Two other young children, aged one and two, were inside the home during the incident but were unharmed. They are now in the care of family members.</p>
<p>Acting Superintendent Brad Inskip, visibly emotional during a press conference, described the scene as "horrific" and said a knife was recovered from the property, which has since been declared a crime scene. Forensic and scientific officers are continuing their investigation.</p>
<p>“This is not something any of us ever want to attend,” Inskip said. “It’s a terrible, terrible incident for everybody involved —–the witnesses, the neighbours and the first responders.”</p>
<p>Flanigan had previously shared her joy about becoming a mother on social media. In 2021, she posted photos of her baby bump during her pregnancy, expressing excitement about the journey to motherhood. “16 weeks pregnant and totally loving becoming your mama my sweet girl,” she wrote in one post. In another, she called becoming a mum a “rapid transformation in every way.”</p>
<p>Photos from her online presence also show the child smiling with her parents and celebrating her first birthday in 2022 with a rose-decorated cake.</p>
<p>Flanigan had also been vocal online about causes such as domestic violence awareness and the importance of flexible work options for mothers.</p>
<p>Inskip said police are working closely with the Bundaberg Regional Council and community services to offer welfare support to those affected, including emergency responders and neighbours.</p>
<p>“This has shocked the entire community,” he said. “Support is available, and we encourage anyone impacted to seek help.”</p>
<p>Flanigan remains in custody, and investigations into the incident are ongoing.</p>
<p><em><strong>Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).</strong></em></p>
<p><em>Images: Facebook / Instagram</em></p>
