A new law mandating safer sleep practices for infants in early years settings has come into force, following a campaign by the parents of a nine-month-old girl who suffocated at a nursery. The updated regulations, effective September 1, 2026, establish explicit legal requirements for baby sleep arrangements in nurseries across England.
Genevieve Meehan, known as Gigi, died on May 9, 2022, after her nursery's deputy manager, Kate Roughley, placed her face down on a beanbag for 97 minutes while she was swaddled and harnessed. CCTV footage from Tiny Toes Children's Day Nursery in Stockport showed Roughley conducted only infrequent checks on the infant, despite her cries. Genevieve was pronounced dead at Stepping Hill Hospital later that afternoon.
Roughley was convicted of manslaughter in May 2024 and sentenced to 14 years in prison. During the trial, Genevieve's parents, Katie Wheeler and John Meehan, discovered that the existing regulations surrounding nursery safety were insufficient, particularly concerning sleep guidelines.
"We identified a very significant and worrying gap, particularly around sleep and the manner in which Ofsted inspected those settings," John Meehan told The Trial+ podcast. "As parents, you would expect the regulatory side of nurseries would be resolved. They are so fundamental."
Under the previous rules, sleep guidance for nurseries was a single paragraph within the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, and failure to comply was not a criminal offense. The new legislation mandates that babies aged one and under must be placed on their backs in a cot, with nothing else in it and their heads uncovered. Furthermore, Ofsted inspectors are now required to assess safer sleep practices at every inspection of early years settings.
Katie and John Meehan view the enacted changes as Genevieve's legacy. "When we talk about it, we talk about what Genevieve has done," Katie said. "She didn't give her life because she had no choice in what happened to her. But, this wouldn't be happening without her."
The parents' campaign aimed to prevent other families from enduring similar tragedies. "You have such empathy that you really don't want anyone else to suffer in the way you have," John explained. "Also, you have all this love and affection to give to your child, and you can't give that in a normal way anymore. But you yearn to do that. It may seem odd, but this was a way we could continue to parent… it was really important for us to do something in her name."
Katie added, "The pride we have for her is difficult to put into words and we are so glad that people know who she is and know that their children will be safer because of her."
Genevieve's death and her parents' subsequent advocacy are featured in the first episode of the new Trial+ podcast series, "Crimes That Changed the Law."