Events In History
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12 August 1895Baby-farmer Minnie Dean hangedIn 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 after a sensational trial in Invercargill. Read more...
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18 June 1895Minnie Dean goes on trialMinnie Dean's trial for murdering a baby placed in her care began at the Invercargill Supreme Court. The 'Winton baby-farmer' was found guilty three days later and hanged on 12 August. Read more...
Articles
Baby farmers
Baby farmers were paid caregivers who allegedly neglected children in their care, concealed their deaths or deliberately murdered the infants. The most notorious was Minnie Dean, who, in August 1895, became the first (and only) woman to be hanged for murder in New Zealand.
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Page 3 – Minnie Dean
In 1895 Southland's Williamina (Minnie) Dean became the first – and only – woman to be hanged in New Zealand. Her story exposed the stark realities of paid
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Main image: Minnie Dean dolls
Dolls in miniature hat boxes are reputed to have been sold as souvenirs outside the Invercargill courtroom during the 1895 trial of Minnie Dean for murdering children in her care.
