A mother from Queensland, Australia, who was facing charges in the tragic killing of her 3-year-old daughter, has died in the hospital after being found unresponsive in a high-risk jail cell.

Lauren Ingrid Flanigan, 32, a mother of three, was arrested last Tuesday after her daughter Sophia was discovered with multiple injuries in the front yard of their home near Moore Park Beach, on the outskirts of Bundaberg.

Flanigan had been held at the Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre and was awaiting her next court date. On Friday, correctional officers found her unconscious in her cell. Despite efforts to revive her and emergency transport to the hospital, she died Sunday night.

Authorities confirmed she was being housed in a specialized unit for high-risk inmates known as the Crisis Support Unit, which is designed to prevent self-harm through increased supervision and psychological care.

Prison Under Review Following Inmate Death

Queensland Corrective Services announced an internal investigation is underway, alongside an independent review by the Critical Incident Review and Inspections Group, and oversight by the Corrective Services Investigation Unit of the Queensland Police.

“There are strict measures in place to monitor and protect high-risk inmates,” a department spokesperson said. “This includes suicide prevention protocols, ongoing mental health assessments, and specialized housing arrangements.”

Flanigan had not been required to appear in court in person, and her lawyer did not request bail. Her case was postponed until July 21.

Details of the Incident

Emergency responders were called to the home around 4:45 p.m. on Monday after neighbors reported disturbing activity. Authorities allege that Flanigan fatally stabbed Sophia in the front yard while her two other children, ages one and two, were inside. A bladed weapon was reportedly found at the scene. The two younger children were unharmed and have since been placed in protective care.

Sophia’s father, Jai Ruane — a mixed martial artist and mine worker — was notified by police and rushed home. He described Sophia as “the light of my life,” remembering her as a joyful child who was always smiling and eager to help. “She just had a huge heart,” he said.

Community Mourns Loss of Young Sophia

The local community held a vigil Sunday evening at Moore Park Beach to honor Sophia’s memory. Residents dressed in pink and sparkles — Sophia’s favorite — and lit candles along the shoreline. Her teachers from Kids and Co described her as full of life, with a love for everything glittery and beautiful. The crowd also danced to her favorite song, Barbie Girl by Aqua.

Flanigan’s Background and Online Presence

In the days leading up to the tragedy, it emerged that Flanigan had been active on social media, frequently posting about her Christian faith. A member of the Alive Church in Bundaberg, she often shared spiritual messages, including one that read, “God is calling his army out of hiding.”

Her social media profile described her as focused on faith, family, and entrepreneurship, with phrases like: “Faith. Family. Future. Fitness. Built for wealth. Wired for freedom.”

In September of last year, Flanigan had shared photos of Sophia dressed in a pink princess gown with the caption “my divine babies.” In earlier posts from 2021, she documented her pregnancy journey with Sophia.