Justice Delayed for Baby Gigi After Nursery Tragedy

Nine-month-old Genevieve Meehan, known as Gigi, died from asphyxiation in 2022 after being left unsupervised for 90 minutes at the now-closed Tiny Toes nursery in Cheadle Hulme, Stockport. A recent development has seen the coroner refer the case back to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to consider charges of corporate manslaughter or gross negligence.

This decision came after a painful four-year wait for the family, who have been seeking accountability beyond the initial sentencing of nursery worker Kate Roughley, who received 14 years in 2024. Evidence including CCTV footage and witness statements prompted the coroner's referral.

Gigi's death exposed systemic failures at the nursery, where profit appeared to be prioritized over infant safety. Roughley had been left in charge of an excessive number of babies, with CCTV capturing her making disparaging remarks about the infant. Another worker, Rebecca Gregory, was previously jailed for three years for wilful neglect and ill-treatment of children at the same nursery.

The family supports the delay, viewing it as a crucial step towards securing justice and accountability for Genevieve. Their Campaign for Gigi has already influenced national safe sleep guidance, mandating that children under two be placed on their backs with no items in their cots. They advocate for further changes, including mandatory CCTV and Ofsted reforms.