Amelia Dyer The Reading Baby Farmer - Victorian Era Serial Killer

Amelia Dyer, born in 1837 and executed on June 10, 1896, is renowned as one of the most prolific serial killers in the history of Britain. In the Victorian era, she worked as a baby farmer, and although she was only convicted for one murder, it is widely believed that she was responsible for numerous others.

Initially, Dyer received training as both a nurse and a midwife. However, by the 1860s, she had transitioned into the lucrative profession of baby farming, which was prevalent during that time in England. This trade emerged due to the Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834, which relieved fathers of illegitimate children from the legal obligation of providing financial support. Consequently, many women found themselves without any viable options. Baby farmers capitalized on this situation by offering to adopt unwanted children for a fee. They deceitfully claimed that these children would be well-cared for, but in reality, they often subjected them to mistreatment and even death. Amelia Dyer, in particular, assured her clients that the children entrusted to her would receive a secure and affectionate home.

In the beginning, Dyer allowed the child to perish due to starvation and neglect. To silence these suffering children, she administered "Mother's Friend," a syrup infused with opium. As time went on, Dyer resorted to quicker methods of murder, enabling her to profit even more.