Queensland mum Ingrid Flanigan, accused of killing 3yo daughter, found unresponsive in jail cell

A Queensland mother accused of killing her three-year old daughter has been found unresponsive in her jail cell.

Lauren Ingrid Flanigan, 32, was charged with the murder of Sophia, 3, after police made the grim discovery at a Regency Rd home in Moore Park Beach – in the Bundaberg region of Queensland – at 4.45pm on Monday.

Queensland Corrective Services (QCS) confirmed officers responded to a medical emergency involving a prisoner at Brisbane Womens Correctional Centre on Friday night.

A QCS spokesman said officers responded before paramedics arrived on site and transported the woman to hospital.

“Support is being offered to the responding officers and their colleagues,” a spokesman said.

Queensland Police detectives from the Corrective Services Investigation Unit are investigating.

“There is no further information available at this time,” a police spokesman said.

Ms Flanigan was in the front yard of the home when authorities arrived on Monday.

She was taken into custody and charged on Tuesday, and is to face court in July over Sophia’s death.

Superintendent Brad Inskip said multiple triple-0 calls had been made in regards to the alleged incident.

Police and paramedics located the child’s body and the mother in the front yard of the address.

Police seized a bladed knife from the scene.

“There were multiple wounds to the child’s body,” Superintendent Inskip said at the time.

“Despite multiple attempts from (police) and (ambulance officers) to apply first aid to that child, that child unfortunately died due to the injuries that she had received.

“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.”

The mother made several social media posts about religion, trauma and work options for mums in the lead up to Sophia’s death.

A post she shared on Sunday night before the alleged murder, read: “REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE. Not what the system told you. Not what your trauma whispered. Not the lies of fear.”

“You are ROYALTY. You are CHOSEN. You are HOLY. You are a WARRIOR OF LIGHT,” her post, made just two days before her arrest reads.

“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.”

Ms Flanigan ends the post urging people to “tag your generals. It’s time to RISE.”

The family’s history, including any mental health, police or departmental history, will form part of the investigation, Superintendent Inskip said, though “there’s no indication that there was any long, intensive history with police”.

Sophia’s siblings, aged one and two, were at the house at the time, he said.

“Neither of them were injured in the incident yesterday, and they’re currently being cared for by family members,” Supt Inskip said.

“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.”

Sophia’s father, MMA fighter Jai Ruane, rushed to be by the side of his two youngest children in the wake of the tragedy, which has left the community of Bundaberg reeling.

Speaking to Nine News on Tuesday night, Mr Ruane described his little girl as “full of life and love”.

“She was always smiling, always wanting to help,” he said.

“She just had a huge heart.”

Police said Mr Ruane had been away for work when the horrific incident unfolded.

Superintendent Inskip said he had now returned and was “no doubt absolutely devastated”.

“He is back in town and he is with the children at the moment, no doubt absolutely devastated,” he said.

Pictures of Mr Ruane on social media show him celebrating his little girl’s birthday and wishing Flanigan a happy Valentine’s Day in 2022.

“Sophia and I both love you very much,” he wrote at the time.

Senior pastors at the family’s church, Adam and Joey Ryan, said their community was “hurting”.

“Sophia was a beautiful little girl. Radiant, happy and just a little bit cheeky,” they said in a statement.

“She brought a burst of joy to every room she entered and she will be dearly missed.

“Our hearts are heavy.”

A fundraiser was launched for Sophia Rose’s devastated family, with the little girl remembered for her “big eyes” and “infectious laugh.”

The GoFundMe, launched by family friend Connor Thompson, has raised nearly $48,000, with a yellow rose posted to the appeal as a tribute to the toddler’s life.

“Sophia Rose was a sweet little girl with big eyes and an infectious laugh that could light up the room,” the appeal reads.

“Her smile was like a ray of sunshine and her heart was as pure of gold. 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.”

Flanigan’s case was briefly heard on Tuesday at Bundaberg Magistrates Court. Her lawyer did not apply for bail and she was remanded in custody.

She will next appear in court on July 21.