Heartbroken mother's final words to her nine-month-old baby daughter before she ... trends now
The mother of a nine-month-old baby daughter who died after allegedly being strapped face-down to a beanbag by a nursery worker said the weekend before the horror incident was the 'happiest' in her life.
Katie Wheeler said her daughter was babbling and playing the weekend before her death and was her 'usual mischievous self' the day she took her to nursery, when her last words to her were 'I love you, sweetie'.
Genevieve Zofia Meehan was nine months old when she was found unresponsive at Tiny Toes Children's Day Nursery in Cheadle Hulme, Stockport, Greater Manchester, in May 2022.
Ms Wheeler said that on the day of the incident, Genevieve was watching her get ready for work and rummaging for various items in her handbag, before her and husband John Meehan dropped her off seemingly happy at the centre.
She said: 'I had put suncream on her, which she found ticklish and funny. When I dropped her off [at nursery] I said to her 'I love you, sweetie'.
'John told me he watched her go in and she seemed happy and then I went home and went to work.'
Pictured: Nursery worker Kate Roughley allegedly strapped Genevieve face-down on a bean bag, holding her so tightly in a blanket that she was unable to move
Roughley, the deputy manager of Tiny Toes nursery in Cheadle, Manchester has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter by ill treatment; and child cruelty
The nine-month-old Genevieve Meehan was rushed to hospital after being found 'unresponsive and blue' at Tiny Toes, in Cheadle Hulme, Greater Manchester, on the afternoon of May 9, 2022
She added: 'I remember that weekend as one of our happiest. She was very happy and well.'
Prosecutors allege Genevieve was strapped face-down to a bean bag by deputy nursery manager Kate Roughley, who swaddled her so tightly in a blanket she was unable to move.
Roughley, 37, allegedly strapped Genevieve with a harness and left her there crying and thrashing for more than half an hour, Manchester Crown Court has heard.
While Genevieve struggled, Roughley ignored her cries and placed a blanket on top of her that covered her almost head to foot, prosecutors have alleged.
Genevieve was found blue and unresponsive on the afternoon of 9 May 2022. Roughley has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter by ill treatment; and child cruelty.
Prosecutor Martin Reid KC read statements from Genevieve's parents, Katie Wheeler and John Meehan, who said she had various ailments after being born prematurely.
Ms Wheeler said: 'I wish to make this statement
