A community is reeling and a dad left “absolutely devastated” after a three-year-old girl was allegedly stabbed to death by her mother.

Lauren Ingrid Flanigan, 32, has been charged with the murder of her daughter, Sophia Rose, who was found with critical injuries in the front yard of their Moore Park Beach home on Regency Road in Bundaberg, Central Queensland, on Monday afternoon.

Emergency services were called to the family home just before 5pm, where they found the three-year-old with “multiple wounds” on her body, according to police.

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Paramedics tried to save her, but she died at the scene.

Flanigan was allegedly found in the front yard and arrested.

A knife was recovered, and she has since been charged with murder.

The church community her mother had been part of is in mourning. “As a church family, we are hurting,’’ Alive Church Bundaberg said in a statement.

“We are now wrestling with the same questions many of us are. Unfortunately, ‘Why?’ is not always easily answered.”

“Lauren’s story is a heartbreaking one that led to tragedy.”

“We are here to support the family and friends of those involved and our prayers are with the Bundaberg community.

“Alive Church’s doors are open to those that are hurting, lost and broken, determined that they would find freedom and hope but these are tragic circumstances.

“Our hearts are heavy.”

Senior Pastors Adam and Joey Ryan remembered Sophia as “a beautiful little girl. Radiant, happy, and just a little bit cheeky. She brought a burst of joy to every room she entered and will be dearly missed.”

Alive Church said its doors remain open to all who are “hurting, lost and broken”.

More than 36 hours after the incident, police tape still surrounded the family home as officers continued their investigation.

The child’s heartbroken father, Jai Ruane, was not at home at the time of the incident. It’s understood the 39-year old is a FIFO worker at a coal mine.

He has now returned home and is caring for his other two children, aged one and two, who were at home when the horrific incident occurred.

Police described him as “no doubt absolutely devastated”.

Ruane opened up about his “bubbly” daughter, telling 9News “she was the light of his life”.

“She was always smiling, always wanting to help, just so full of life and love. She just had such a huge heart,” Ruane said.

Flanigan remains in custody and has not yet entered a plea.