Parents of baby girl who died after allegedly being strapped face-down to beanbag by nursery worker tell trial jurors of their heartbreak

Trial jurors heard statements from the parents of a baby girl who died after allegedly being strapped face-down to a beanbag by a nursery worker - as they spoke of their 'beautiful daughter' and her final moments.

Genevieve Zofia Meehan was nine-months-old when she was found unresponsive at the Tiny Toes Nursery in Cheadle Hulme, Stockport in May 2022.

Prosecutors allege she 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.

Ms Roughley, 36, allegedly strapped Genevieve with a harness and left her there crying and thrashing for more than half an hour, Manchester Crown Court has heard.

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While Genevieve struggled, Ms Roughley ignored her cries and placed a blanket on top of her that covered her almost head to foot, prosecutors have alleged.

Ms Roughley is accused of manslaughter by ill-treatment. The child was found unresponsive and blue on the afternoon of May 9, 2022. Ms Roughley has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter; and child cruelty.

Prosecutor Martin Reid KC read statements from the parents of Genevieve - Katie Wheeler and John Meehan - who said she had various ailments after being born prematurely.

Mum Katie Wheeler said: "I wish to make this statement to talk about and honour my beautiful daughter Genevieve. Gigi was not just a baby, she was a person with her likes and dislikes, her loves and her frustrations. She was a complete person.

"Owing to her beautiful French name, she adopted a French persona in our house and was often voiced by me with a French accent. We used to joke it would be very strange when she started