Mom's Bizarre Social Media Posts Revealed as She's Charged with the Death of Her 3-Year-Old Daughter
Lauren Ingrid Flanigan, 32, allegedly stabbed her three-year-old daughter, Sophia Rose, in the front yard of their home in Queensland, Australia, on Monday, May 26
The case was briefly mentioned at Bundaberg Magistrates Court on Tuesday, after Flanigan was arrested and charged with murder
The incident came a day after Flanigan shared a series of disturbing posts on social media, according to multiple news outletsA mother's eerie social media posts have been revealed after she was charged with the death of her three-year-old daughter.
Lauren Ingrid Flanigan, 32, has been accused of fatally stabbing her daughter, Sophia Rose, in the front yard of their Moore Park Beach home in Central Queensland, Australia, on Monday, May 26. Chief Inspector Grant Marcus said police received several calls from neighbors, but the toddler was dead when emergency services found her just before 5 p.m. local time, per 7 News and 9 News.
Flanigan was arrested at the scene and charged in custody with killing Sophia, while a knife that police allege was the murder weapon was also seized, the outlets reported.
'There were two other children at the address at the time, both younger – aged one and two,' Superintendent Brad Inskip said, per News.com.au. 'Neither of them were injured in the incident yesterday, and they're currently being cared for by family members.'
Inskip told 7 News that there were 'multiple attempts' to revive Sophia before she succumbed to her injuries.
'No doubt it was a horrific scene, it's a terrible, terrible incident for everybody, including the witnesses and the neighbors, including the emergency services police and ambulances who attended and investigators who are doing the ongoing investigation,' Inskip said, per 7 News.
'This is not something that we or one of us wanna attend, but we're one of the people who have to deal with [it],' he continued. 'We have reached out to council to support the community as well, and there are welfare options available on the QPS website as well.'
Inskip didn't specify if there were any concerns about Flanigan's mental health before the incident. However, he confirmed to News.com.au that her mental health 'will play a part in our inquiries' amid their investigation.
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Flanigan had shared several photos on social media of her children and a blossoming baby bump in 2021. She appeared to be an advocate for taking action against domestic violence and digital work for moms, according to News.com.au.
However, recent Instagram posts appeared to have a darker tone, Sky News Australia reported. On Sunday, she allegedly shared a video of a woman with bruises on her arm that was captioned, 'Remember your pain as it fuels your purpose.' The mom allegedly included lyrics from the heavy metal group Disturbed's song 'Prayer,' which say, 'Another nightmare about to come true. Will manifest tomorrow. Another love that I've taken from you.'
In other posts, Flanigan allegedly referenced training 'like it's war' and being a 'warrior of light,' according to News.com.au. She captioned a photo of her children 'my divine babies,' while other posts allegedly referenced trauma, with one saying that people are 'shaped by the rocks we've been broken against.'
'This is how our Creator sees us. Not defined by the damage, but deeply loved for the story we carry,' Flanigan added.
Following Monday's incident, the family home has been declared a crime scene, with specialist police from Brisbane traveling to the area to assist with the investigation.
Jai Ruane, an MMA fighter and father of the three children, was away for work at the time of the murder. He and Flanigan are believed to be separated, ABC News Australia reported.
Inskip said Ruane has since returned and is 'no doubt absolutely devastated,' per 9 News.
Speaking of his daughter, according to 9 News, Ruane said, 'Always smiling, always wanting to help. Just full of life and love.' He then added, 'She just had such a huge heart.'
Social media photos throughout the years show Ruane celebrating his daughter's birthday and wishing Flaning a Happy Valentine's Day in 2022, News.com.au reported. 'Sophia and I both love you very much,' he wrote at the time.
Flanigan's case was briefly mentioned on Tuesday, May 27, at Bundaberg Magistrates Court, before being adjourned until July, ABC News Australia reported.
Bundaberg Magistrates Court and Queensland Police did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.
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