A mother-of-three accused of murdering her three-year-old daughter had previously posted a series of messages about religion, saying ‘God is calling his army out of hiding’.
Emergency services rushed to Moore Park Beach, on the outskirts of Bundaberg in central Queensland, about 4.45pm on Monday following ‘multiple’ reports from concerned neighbours.
The three-year-old girl was found unresponsive with ‘multiple wounds’ at the Regency Rd home and declared dead at the scene, police said.
Acting Superintendent Brad Inskip said a bladed weapon was also allegedly found at the location.
Police arrested 32-year-old Lauren Ingrid Flanigan and on Tuesday charged her with murdering her daughter Sophia.
Two other children, aged one and two, were also home at the time but were unharmed. They are now in the care of others.
A man who lived at the residence had been working away from the home when the incident unfolded. He returned home after being notified by police of the tragedy.
A man’s screams of horror were heard across the normally quiet beachside suburb, as more than 30 neighbours watched on, many of them in tears.
Lauren Ingrid Flanigan, 32, (pictured) has been charged with one count of murder after she allegedly killed her three-year-old daughter Sophia in the front yard of her home
Sophia, 3, (pictured) was found unresponsive at the Regency Road home and declared dead at the scene
A clearly distressed man was seen on his hands and knees in despair as other shocked neighbours comforted each other.
It’s understood Flanigan was a member of the Alive Church in Bundaberg and would often share posts about her faith to her social media accounts.
‘Faith. Family. Future. Fitness. Built for wealth. Wired for freedom. Digital Systems. Elite Strategy. No Excuses,’ her account profile reads.
In many of her posts, Flanigan wrote about ‘rising up’ and remembering ‘who you are’ as she battled against ‘the system’.
‘You are a WARRIOR OF LIGHT. Train like it’s war — because it is. God is calling His army out of hiding. This is kingdom rising,’ Flanigan’s most recent post read.
‘We move. We build. We burn with holy fire. No more delays. No more compromise. Tag your generals. It’s time to RISE.’
In September last year, Flanigan shared pictures of Sophia in a pink princess dress on Instagram with the caption ‘my divine babies’.
In another post, the mother-of-two explained her life would be fulfilled by sharing time with her family and not by having a successful career.
A distressed man was seen on his hands and knees in despair as others comforted him in the wake of the tragedy
Police taped off the property and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the little girl’s death
‘I realised the most valuable thing I could create was time,’ Flanigan wrote.
‘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 2021, Flanigan shared pictures of her growing baby bump while pregnant with daughter Sophia.
Flanigan was not required to appear in person at Bundaberg Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
Her legal representative made no application for bail and the case was adjourned until July 21.
More than 30 neighbours watched on, some of them in tears, as a man was heard screaming in horror at the scene
In many of her posts to social media, Flanigan wrote about ‘rising up’ and remembering ‘who you are’ as she battled against ‘the system’
Police are preparing a brief of evidence which will be presented to the court at a later date.
Acting Supt Inskip said on Tuesday that police responded to multiple Triple-0 calls from concerned neighbours on Monday evening.
He said police and paramedics tried desperately to administer first aid but the young girl died at the scene after suffering ‘multiple’ wounds to her body.
‘It was a horrific scene,’ Acting Supt Inskip said.
‘It’s a terrible, terrible incident for everybody including the witnesses and neighbours, the emergency services, police and ambulance who attended and the investigators who are doing the ongoing investigation.
‘This is not something we ever want to attend and want our people to have to deal with.’
Acting Supt Inskip declined to confirm if the family was known to police or children’s services, adding that line of inquiry would form part of the investigation.
He said Flanigan’s mental health history would also be looked into.
Pictured, Flanigan with baby Sophia
He confirmed Sophia was Flanigan’s eldest child.
It is unclear whether the other two children inside the home when the incident unfolded witnessed the attack.
Acting Supt Inskip added the man who lived at the house – but was away at work when the incident occurred – had now returned and was with the two children.
‘He is back in town and he is with the children at the moment. No doubt absolutely devastated,’ he said.
Anyone with more information is urged to contact Policelink or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
