Moore Park Beach community mourns tragic alleged murder of 'beautiful little girl' Sophia
Tributes are flowing for a Queensland toddler who was allegedly stabbed to death by her mother.
Three-year-old Sophia Rose was described as a "beautiful little girl … always dressed in these beautiful dresses and bows in her hair" by her pastor, Joey Ryan.
Sophia's mother Lauren Ingrid Flanigan, 32, has been charged with murder after the girl was found unresponsive at a home in Moore Park Beach, north of Bundaberg, just before 5pm on Monday.
The tragedy has shocked the Bundaberg community with many grappling to come to terms with Sophia's death.
A toy library near the girl's home has become a memorial where grieving locals are paying their respects to Sophia Rose.
Hope Peters, herself a mother of a young child, laid a bouquet of flowers together with a pink teddy bear at the memorial as she struggled to process the overwhelming emotions.
"I've got a three-year-old girl at home," she said.
Ms Peters said families throughout Moore Park were "heartbroken".
"We're all a community here and everyone is just feeling very emotional," she said.
"We hope she gets the peace that she deserves."
Lauren Flanigan is a member of Alive Church in Bundaberg and would regularly attend services with Sophia.
Senior Pastor Joey Ryan said the church was "devastated at the loss of beautiful Sophia".
"Sophia was such a beautiful little girl," she said.
"[She] would attend our church with such happiness in her face as she arrived to see everybody.
"She brought so much joy to this community. We love her and we'll dearly miss her."
The church held a special service on Tuesday evening to support those grieving in the tight-knit community.
"We had no plans or agenda … other than opening the doors, allowing people just to sit and grieve and process and pray and just come together," Ms Ryan said.
Hairdresser Brinda Olive has lived at Moore Park since 2016, drawn by its unspoilt beaches and welcoming community.
"I was very, very shocked. We haven't had anything like that before," Ms Olive said.
"I just can't believe that happened. It's very sad."
Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett said his office had been flooded with calls from residents grieving and angered by the little girl's death.
Mr Bennett encouraged residents of the Bundaberg region to reach out to support services.
"Lifeline and other agencies are there for you … but our office can also be a point of contact to connect you with the important services that are out there."
Ms Flanigan did not appear in Bundaberg Magistrates Court when her case was first mentioned on Tuesday.
She did not apply for bail and remains in custody while a brief of evidence is prepared.
Ms Flanigan's matter will return to court in July.
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