Kate Roughley, who denies manslaughter and a count of child cruelty, appeared at Manchester Crown Court yesterday (18 April) for a second day.
Jurors watched CCTV footage from the Friday before Genevieve’s death, which the prosecution alleged showed Rougley grasping the nine-month-old ‘harshly’ and ‘losing her patience with her’ while at Tiny Toes Nursery in Cheadle Hulme, according to reports.
She told Genevieve to ‘stop your whingeing’ and ‘change the record’ as she was heard crying and coughing. Reports suggest the child had returned to the nursery the day before after a ‘spell’ in hospital with a chest infection.
The CCTV shows Roughly went on to say, ‘Genevieve, if we had any chance of being friends, you just blew it’, later adding: ‘You are driving me bananas.’
On the day of the child’s death, Roughley allegedly swaddled the nine-month-old and placed her face down on a beanbag ignoring her cries.
More than an hour and half later, Genevieve was discovered blue in the face and was not responsive. She died in hospital a day later.
The court heard how Roughly, who was deputy manager at the setting, was handling 10 babies alone at one point as another staff member went home sick. Earlier in the day she had complained about the number of children the nursery manager had accepted.
They also heard statements from Genevieve’s parents. Her mother Katie Wheeler said that she had wanted to send her daughter to a different nursery but had been unable to get a place until later in the year.
Wheeler had told Tiny Toes she was an ‘anxious person’ and asked questions about safety. However, she was reassured it was safe and was told all staff had regular first aid training.
The trial continues.
