Lauren Ingrid Flanigan: Devastated dad of 3yo allegedly murdered by mum tells of girl’s ‘huge heart’

The father of a three-year-old allegedly stabbed to death by her mother has spoken of the little girl’s “huge heart”.

Sophia received multiple injuries during a horrific incident at her family’s Moore Park Beach home on Monday afternoon, when she was found critically injured and bleeding on the front lawn at about 5pm.

Neighbours and emergency crews tried to save her but Sophia could not be revived.

Her mother Lauren Ingrid Flanigan, 32, has been charged with her murder.

Sophia’s heartbroken father Jai Ruane, who was away at the time of the incident, has now returned. He is caring for his other two children, aged one and two, who were at home when the horror unfolded.

Mr Ruane paid tribute to his “bubbly” daughter, telling 9News she was the light of his life.

“Always smiling, always wanting to help. Just full of life and love,” he said.

“She just had such a huge heart.”

At a press conference on Tuesday, police said a blade had been recovered from the scene and the home was being forensically examined.

They would not be drawn on whether there was a history of family violence or mental health issues, but said those would form part of the investigation.

“It was a horrific scene,” Acting Superintendent Brad Inskip said.

“It’s a terrible terrible incident for everybody, including the witnesses and neighbours, including the emergency services, police and ambulance who attended and the investigators who are dealing with the ongoing investigation.

In the days and hours before the alleged murder, Ms Flanigan was active on social media posting about staying strong, being a “warrior of light” and advocating for victims of domestic violence.

Alongside one chilling post shared two days before the alleged murder, she wrote: “You are ROYALTY. You are CHOSEN. You are HOLY. You are a WARRIOR OF LIGHT.”

She continued: “This is Kingdom Rising. We move. We build. We burn with holy fire. No more delays. No more compromise. Tag your generals. It’s time to RISE.”

She also posted another video, this time of a woman covered in bruises and with a bloodied eye, with the words “remember your pain it fuels your purpose”.

The Alive Church in Bundaberg — where Ms Flanigan was a member and where Sophia was recently dedicated — held a memorial for Sophia on Tuesday night, the Courier Mail reports.

Senior pastors Adam and Joey Ryan said their church community was “hurting”.

“Sophia was a beautiful little girl. Radiant, happy and just a little bit cheeky.

“She brought a burst of joy to every room she entered and she will be dearly missed.

“Our hearts are heavy.”