Lady Killers

Amelia Dyer, a 19th‑century baby farmer, was convicted in 1896 of murdering several children in her care. The programme “Suffer Little Children” tells her story, focusing on the crimes that led to her conviction. It presents the historical context of the investigation and trial.

Suffer Little Children is a television programme presented as a single episode. It falls within the genre of an episode‑type broadcast, offering a concise, self‑contained narrative rather than a multi‑part series. The title hints at the tragic focus of the story it tells, and the format ensures that the material is delivered in one continuous segment. The core of the episode centres on Amelia Dyer, whose criminal actions form the heart of the narrative. It recounts how Dyer was brought to trial and ultimately convicted in 1896 for the murder of several children who had been placed under her care. The programme follows the progression from the alleged offences to the courtroom decision that sealed her fate, outlining the key facts that led to her conviction. Beyond the basic recounting of the trial, the episode provides additional context about the case’s historical setting. It situates Dyer’s conviction within the late‑nineteenth‑century legal framework, highlighting the seriousness with which the murders were treated at the time. By concentrating on the legal outcome and the victims’ circumstances, the programme offers a focused look at a disturbing chapter of history, presenting the events in a straightforward, factual manner.