In 1895 Minnie Dean became the first (and only) woman to be hanged by law in New Zealand.
Known as the ‘Winton baby farmer’, she had been convicted of the murder of baby Dorothy Edith Carter following a sensational trial in Invercargill. Dean was hanged at 8 a.m. at Invercargill Gaol. Newspapers reported that ‘She walked firmly to the scaffold, and said in answer to the Sheriff − “I have nothing to say except that I am innocent.” There was no hitch in the arrangements, and the prisoner’s death was instantaneous.’
Image: During the trial, miniature hatboxes with baby dolls in them were sold outside the courthouse.
Read more on NZHistory
Capital punishment in New Zealand – The death penaltyMinnie Dean – Baby farmersNew Zealand crime timeline – Crime timelineCreches and early childcare – Crèches and early childcare
External links
- Minnie Dean (Crime.co.nz)
- The Ballad of Minnie Dean (NZ folksong)
- Williamina Dean biography (DNZB)
- Minnie Dean: The Winton baby farmer (1966 encyclopaedia)
- Notable trials: The Winton baby farmer (1966 encyclopaedia)
- Hanlon - in defence of Minnie Dean (NZ On screen)
How to cite this page
'Baby-farmer Minnie Dean hanged', URL: http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/baby-farmer-minnie-dean-hanged, (Ministry for Culture and Heritage), updated 12-Aug-2014
