Pages tagged with: minnie dean

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.

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 childcare and the lack of choice that many women faced in this period.

Video about the baby-farmer Minnie Dean, the only woman to be hanged in New Zealand

Image of Minnie Dean in 1872

Police search Minnie Dean's garden at The Larches.

Still from the music video 'Minnie Dean' by Helen Henderson

Newspaper reports of the arrest and trial of Minnie Dean

Newspaper report of the execution of Minnie Dean on 12 August 1895

Minnie 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.