Stockport nursery worker guilty of manslaughter of baby girl
Nine-month-old Genevieve Meehan died whilst in the care of Kate Roughley at Tiny Toes Nursery in May 2022
Last updated 20th May 2024
A nursery worker from Stockport has been found guilty of the manslaughter of a baby she was supposed to be looking after.
Kate Roughley, 37, found nine-month-old Genevieve Meehan unresponsive and blue on the afternoon of May 9 2022 at the Tiny Toes Nursery in Cheadle Hulme, Stockport.
Staff and then paramedics attempted to revive Genevieve, known to her family as Gigi, but her condition was irreversible and she was pronounced dead later that day in hospital.
The case at Manchester Crown Court heard how Roughley, swaddled the youngster in a blanket, placed her on her front on a bean bag, fastened a strap across her back and then placed another cover over her.
The doctor who examined Genevieve's body told the jury it would have been a "struggle" for her to breathe.
CCTV shown in court captures Roughley singing “Genevieve, Genevieve, stop your whingeing, Genevieve." and on another occasion calling her a "stress head".
She told the court that she sang songs or made up rhymes about some babies, and Genevieve in particular, to “entertain them”.
Following her death, Genevieve's family released a tribute which said they were "devastated" adding "she had the most beautiful smile and enchanting emerald eyes".
Roughley told the jury she does feel responsible for Genevieve’s death, but she doesn't feel as though her actions were the cause of death.
Tiny Toes Nursery is now closed - and Roughley, of Heaton Norris, is awaiting sentencing.