• News
  • Life
  • TV & Film
  • Beauty
  • Style
  • Home
  • News
    • Celebrity
    • Entertainment
    • Politics
    • Royal Family
  • Life
    • Animals
    • Food & Drink
    • Women's Health
    • Mental Health
    • Sex & Relationships
    • Travel
    • Real Life
  • TV & Film
    • True Crime
    • Documentaries
    • Netflix
    • BBC
    • ITV
    • Tyla Recommends
  • Beauty
    • Hair
    • Make-up
    • Skincare
  • Style
    • Home
    • Fashion
    • Shopping
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
Submit Your Content
Woman convicted of killing her four babies released from jail after 20 years

Home> News

Updated 15:05 5 Jun 2023 GMT+1Published 15:00 5 Jun 2023 GMT+1

Woman convicted of killing her four babies released from jail after 20 years

Kathleen Folbigg has been pardoned after two decades behind bars

Rhiannon Ingle

Rhiannon Ingle

Content warning: this article contains subject matter that some readers may find upsetting

A woman convicted of killing her four babies has been released from jail after 20 years.

Kathleen Folbigg, from Australia, was found guilty of smothering her four babies - Caleb, Patrick, Sarah and Laura - before their second birthday back in 2003.

The mum has been pardoned today (5 June) after two whole decades behind bars.

Advert

Now 55-years-old, Folbigg was found guilty of smothering the four infants after claiming she found them, one after the other, lifeless in their cribs.

The four children died separately between the years of 1989 and 1999 aged in the range from aged between 19 days to 19 months old.

The woman has been pardoned from prison after 20 years.
Australian Associated Press / Alamy Stock Photo

Folbigg was initially sentenced to 40 years in prison for murder and manslaughter with a non-parole period of 30 years, but that sentence was later reduced to 25 years following an appeal.

Advert

In a news conference today, New South Wales Attorney General Michael Daley revealed that Folbigg had been granted an 'unconditional pardon'.

Daley went on to disclose that the woman would be released from prison 'without delay' due to preliminary findings of a review into her conviction.

The review in question - conducted by the former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of New South Wales, Thomas Bathurst, - reportedly found 'reasonable doubt' surrounding her guilt for all four of her children's deaths.

He said: "There is a reasonable doubt as to Ms. Folbigg's guilt of the manslaughter of her child Caleb, the infliction of grievous bodily harm on her child Patrick and the murder of her children Patrick, Sarah and Laura."

Advert

"I have reached a view that there is reasonable doubt as to the guilt of Ms. Folbigg of those offenses," Daley added.

According to ABC News, Folbigg was pardoned based on new scientific evidence that claimed her four infants died from natural causes.

"This has been a terrible ordeal for everyone concerned and I hope that our actions today can put some closure on this 20-year-old matter," said Daley.

The Attorney General went on to state that the children's father, Craig Folbigg, had also been informed about the pardoning.

Advert

He said: "I am thinking of him today as well. It will be a tough day for him."

Folbigg was pardoned based on new evidence claiming all four infants' death were due to natural causes.
Australian Associated Press / Alamy Stock Photo

Daley went on to confirm that the facility in which Folbigg was serving her prison sentence, Clarence Correctional Centre, had been instructed to 'look after her' following her release.

"I think we all have to put ourselves in Ms. Folbigg’s shoes and let her now have the space that she needs to get on with her life and not to harass her or pursue her in any way," he went on to note. “

Advert

"This has been a 20-year long ordeal for her and if she’s not out already she will be soon and wish her well for the rest of her life."

During the press conference, Daley also confirmed that Folbigg's convictions had not been revoked: "The only body that can do that is the Court of Criminal Appeal. The effect of a pardon is that she will not have to serve the rest of her sentence."

Back in 2021, a group of nearly 100 scientists started a petition to pardon Folbigg from what they dubbed a 'a miscarriage of justice'.

The 90 scientists argued there was 'no medical evidence' to support the prosecution's case that the mum had in fact smothered each of the four children to death.

Instead, they claimed the babies may have died of genetic causes.

In the petition, the group also argued that Folbigg's conviction was partly based on the discredited theory known as 'Meadow's Law' which, in short, assumes the probability of more than two children from one single family dying of genetic causes is so statistically unlikely that there must be foul play involved.

Featured Image Credit: Australian Associated Press / Alamy Stock Photo

Topics: Crime, News, Parenting, Australia

Rhiannon Ingle
Rhiannon Ingle

Rhiannon Ingle is a Senior Journalist at Tyla, specialising in TV, film, travel, and culture. A graduate of the University of Manchester with a degree in English Literature, she honed her editorial skills as the Lifestyle Editor of The Mancunian, the UK’s largest student newspaper. With a keen eye for storytelling, Rhiannon brings fresh perspectives to her writing, blending critical insight with an engaging style. Her work captures the intersection of entertainment and real-world experiences.

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Ex-husband of woman accused of killing three people during deadly lunch reveals why he didn’t attend despite invitation
  • Missing boy from Netflix series Unsolved Mysteries finally found after vanishing seven years ago
  • Man wrongfully imprisoned for 38 years finally released after new evidence emerges
  • Everything we know about missing boy from Netflix’s Unsolved Mysteries as he’s finally found after seven years

Choose your content:

a day ago
  • a day ago

    Three-year-old boy died from sepsis after ‘missed opportunities’ for early treatment following flu-like symptoms

    Theo Tuikubulau tragically died from a Strep A infection which led to sepsis

    News
  • a day ago

    Kate Middleton makes rare parenting confession as she shares sad cancer update

    The Princess of Wales, 43, shares three children with her husband Prince William

    News
  • a day ago

    Donald Trump ignites outrage with most 'hateful' comment yet

    The 79-year-old Republican has sparked a very heated discussion online following such 'hateful' remarks

    News
  • a day ago

    Wimbledon viewers spot heartbreaking detail as strict 148-year rule is broken after Liverpool player Diogo Jota's death

    The Liverpool FC player tragically died in a car crash in Spain on Thursday (3 July)

    News