Kate Roughley is on trial for manslaughter and child cruelty after nine-month-old baby Genevieve Meehan died at Tiny Toes Nursery in Stockport, Greater Manchester. She was found strapped face down to a bean bag for more than 90 minutes. The distressing moment when the baby was discovered unresponsive at the nursery was captured on CCTV. Roughley is accused of swaddling the infant in a blanket, leaving her on her front, fastening a strap across her back, and covering her. Roughley realized the baby wasn’t breathing after coming into the room one hour and 37 minutes later, leading to the tragic outcome.
The trial revealed that after Gigi was left face down at the nursery, staff gathered to revive her once it was realized she wasn’t breathing. Despite their efforts, the baby was declared dead at the hospital. The cause of death was determined to be asphyxia and pathophysiological stress. Prosecutor Peter Wright KC stated that leaving a baby immobilized between 1:35pm and 3:12pm was a recipe for disaster. Roughley’s sporadic and fleeting interest in Genevieve’s wellbeing was a point of concern in the court. The CCTV footage from the nursery showed the events leading up to the baby’s death in detail.
Before Genevieve’s tragic death, the CCTV footage revealed Roughley’s actions at the nursery. She was seen swaddling and putting the baby in a cot, covering her with a blanket. Roughley mentioned to a colleague that she was tidying up to avoid hearing the baby crying. Throughout the morning, Roughley took photos of Genevieve playing, often sending them to parents. Shortly before 1:30 pm, she mentioned that the baby had been awake since half past ten and decided to put her on a bean bag to avoid waking up another child. The footage captured the baby crying, wriggling, and eventually becoming unresponsive.
The court heard how Gigi’s distress was ignored, despite the crying escalating into deep grunting sounds. Roughley was seen monitoring the baby’s movements and raising concerns about her breathing without taking immediate action. The colleague unfastened the strap and unwrapped the blanket after Roughley checked on Gigi. The attempt to revive the baby and the overall delay in providing adequate care were highlighted during the trial. Roughley, from Stockport, denied the charges of manslaughter and child cruelty, maintaining her innocence amidst the tragic incident at the nursery.
The trial outlined a sequence of events that led to the death of baby Genevieve Meehan at Tiny Toes Nursery. Roughley’s decisions and actions, including leaving the baby immobilized face down on a bean bag, were scrutinized by the court. The inadequate level of care provided to the infant during her distress and eventual asphyxiation were key points of concern. The heartbreaking outcome of the case underscored the importance of proper childcare practices and vigilance in ensuring the safety and well-being of children. The trial continued to unfold the details surrounding Genevieve’s death and the potential implications of Roughley’s actions on the tragic incident at the nursery.
