A coroner has expressed disappointment after a pre-inquest review into the death of a baby girl killed at her nursery was adjourned.
Case background
Genevieve 'Gigi' Meehan, aged nine months, died at Tiny Toes Children’s Day Nursery in May 2022 after being strapped face down onto a beanbag and left unsupervised for 90 minutes by nursery worker Kate Roughley. Roughley was jailed for 14 years in May 2024 for causing her unlawful death, with an inquest originally set for June this year.
Pre-inquest review adjourned
At a previous pre-inquest review in April, coroner Alison Mutch delayed the inquest and referred the case to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) after evidence indicated possible gross negligence manslaughter and corporate manslaughter. On Friday, July 24, at Manchester's South Coroner's Court, the coroner requested an update from Detective Superintendent Cheryl Hughes, acting lead of the Major Incident Team at Greater Manchester Police. Det. Supt. Hughes requested more time for police and the CPS to consider evidence, with the case referred to the CPS Serious Crime Unit in York.
Addressing Det. Supt. Hughes, Ms Mutch said: 'I think I am disappointed with what's happened today, but I am grateful for the clarity you have given us. I know you will make sure that the actions talked about today are progressed.' The pre-inquest review was adjourned to October 8 this year.
Government response
Following campaigning by Genevieve's parents, backed by the Manchester Evening News, the Government announced last month it will invest over £8 million into Ofsted to strengthen safeguarding in nurseries. The investment will allow up to 3,000 additional unannounced visits to identify risks early, tripling the number of such visits compared with the year to April 2025. The Government also announced plans to strengthen safer sleep requirements across nurseries and early years settings as a result of the 'Campaign for Gigi'. Early Education Minister Olivia Bailey MP wrote to the sector confirming her intention to update the Early Years Foundation Stage statutory framework with clearer safer sleep guidance, effective from September 2026, subject to parliamentary processes. The new requirements, developed with the Lullaby Trust, medical experts and Ofsted, will cover sleep position, sleep surfaces, bedding, room temperature, adult supervision for children under six months, and a requirement for all early years staff to read NHS guidance on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
