How killer nursery manager turned on Genevieve Meehan with ‘disturbing hostility’ before leaving baby girl to die
A KILLER nursery manager turned on a baby with “disturbing hostility” before leaving her to die face down on a bean bag.
Kate Roughley had been targeting Genevieve Meehan for weeks leading up to her death at Tiny Toes Nursery in Cheadle Hulme, Stockport.
The qualified nurse, 37, had “for some inexplicable reason appeared to have taken against Genevieve“.
Her killer actions had been fuelled by this “illogical and disturbing hostility” towards the nine-month-old.
In the days before Genevieve’s death, Roughley was heard telling the tot to “stop your whinging”.
She also told her repeatedly to “go home” when she cried and subjected the tot to “rough handling”.
Cruel Roughley even made up a song to taunt the baby that went: “Genevieve, Genevieve, stop your whingeing, Genevieve”.
This ill-treatment came to a tragic head on May 9, 2022, when Roughley decided to punish Genevieve for not sleeping long enough for her liking.
She strapped the baby on her front by “means of a harness” on a bean bag rather than a cot or sleeping mat.
Genevieve was then “practically” covered from head to foot in a blanket that would have heightened her risk of overheating.
During the trial, jurors heard this sleeping position was an “obvious recipe for disaster” as she was left unable to breathe properly.
Tragically, Genevieve was was left virtually immobilised and face down between 1.35pm and 3.12pm.
Genevieve’s “desperate fight for survival” as she slowly suffocated was clear but her thrashing and crying were ignored.
CCTV showed Roughley in this period heading for a toilet break while telling a colleague: “Just ignore anyone if they start.”
She was also seen checking on other children but not Genevieve, who “remained on the beanbag seemingly motionless”.
Roughley, who had 17 years experience in nursery work, maintained the baby’s death was a “terrible, unavoidable accident”.
She also denied she had “persecuted” Genevieve, adding: “I would never not like a nine-month-old baby.”
But jurors saw through her lies and she was convicted of unlawful act manslaughter.
Genevieve's family pay tribute to 'wonderful' baby
“It has been just over two years since our beautiful and wonderful daughter’s life was taken from her. Genevieve’s loss has destroyed our family. We grieve for her every day. We long desperately to see her smile, hear her laugh and feel her warm embrace. Her absence is a physical and emotional wound that will never heal.
“Genevieve wasn’t just a baby, she was a person. She loved to laugh, to play with her tambourine, to eat Spaghetti Bolognese and to be with her big sister. She was kind, affectionate, independent and mischievous. She was fascinated with the world and everything in it. She embraced every day. She loved life and we loved her instantly.
“We were amazed every day watching her grow and develop. She was such a strong person, bright and talented. To be in her presence was such joy.
“We will never accept the cruelty of her life being taken away. That we will not get to hear her speak her first words or watch her grow up is impossible to comprehend. Genevieve could have done anything she wanted to. She had her whole life to live and was loved so dearly by her family.
“We grieve for what we do not have. Words cannot adequately convey how much we miss Genevieve. We are so desperate for her to be in our arms as she should be and watching her put on her school uniform in September when she would have started pre-school. Instead, we are here in a place we could never have imagined when we took her to nursery that day on 9 May where she was meant to be safe and cared for. The pain of her loss is beyond any measure.
“We grieve for everything Genevieve has lost. Her life, that was so full of wonder and promise, was taken from her.
“We thank the police for their dedication to getting justice for Genevieve, for their professionalism and their compassion. We would not be here without their commitment or the work of the CPS and the legal team who have fought for Genevieve and our family.
“Our beautiful daughter deserves to be remembered for the wonderful person she is, not the nature of her death. She deserves to have a legacy so that her life can inspire others. As a family, we will work tirelessly to ensure she has the legacy she deserves.”
Roughley, who she was the duty baby room leader and in charge of sleep arrangements, will be sentenced tomorrow.
Karen Tonge, Specialist Prosecutor for CPS North West’s Complex Casework Unit, said: “Genevieve Meehan was nine months and 21 days old when her life was so cruelly cut short.
“The CCTV footage from the nursery’s baby room showed a complete lack of care and tenderness towards Genevieve, and a total disregard for her welfare.
“For some inexplicable reason, Kate Roughley had taken a dislike to Genevieve, and this was clear for all to hear and see.
“Roughley was entrusted to take care of Genevieve. It is difficult to comprehend how someone in such a position of trust could have such a complete disregard for a child’s wellbeing and life. Her actions and inactions have had devastating consequences.
“I can’t begin to imagine the toll this has taken and will continue to take on Genevieve’s family. My thoughts are with them all.”