THE parents of a toddler who died are behind bars after they admitted to her horrific neglect.

Margaret Wade, 38, and Marie Sweeney, 37, supposedly looked after Lauren Wade in a filthy flat described by one detective as the worst he had seen.

The tragic two-year-old went without proper food or care for months.

She was rushed to hospital in March 2015, but died around 30 minutes later.

A judge heard how Lauren was dirty, severely underweight and riddled with “thousands” of head lice at the time.

Glasgow Times:

Two older children who lived with the pair also suffered, but fortunately survived.

The jobless duo were later charged by police – after Wade said she had “no guilt” over the death.

The pair today faced a culpable homicide allegation at the High Court in Glasgow.

But, prosecutors  accepted their guilty pleas to an amended charge of the wilful ill-treatment and neglect of Lauren.

They also admitted to the same crime in connection with the other two children.

Wade and Sweeney, of Townhead, were remanded in custody pending sentencing in the New Year.

They initially lived at a flat in Pinkston Drive, Sighthill, before leaving for another property in nearby Fountainwell Drive in 2011.

The court heard Lauren was “plainly unwell” and “emaciated” for days before she died.

A week before the death, Wade claimed to a neighbour Lauren had been “screaming all night” due to “teething”.

Days later, Wade then insisted a “pale and tired” Lauren had a cold.

On March 20 2015, a 999 call was made after Lauren was found to be “unresponsive”.

The child was rushed to hospital – but was pronounced dead shortly after.

Tiny Lauren was described as “skinny, dirty and unkempt” at the time.

Glasgow Times:

She also had a sodden nappy and bald patches.

Wade told nurses Lauren had been suffering from a virus for a couple of days.

A post mortem revealed Lauren had been the victim of “severe neglect”.

There was also evidence that lice had been there for “over 17 months” of her life.

Police probed the horrific living conditions Lauren and the other children had been subjected to.

One detective who later viewed the Foutainwell Drive flat branded it “one of the most disgusting houses” he had visited in his police career.

Their lawyers today asked for their bail to be continued.

Lady Stacey locked them up as sentencing was deferred for reports.