The father of a two-year-old girl who was murdered by her mother and the mother's boyfriend has stated that authorities failed to protect his daughter, Isabelle Welsh, who suffered 21 broken bones in the weeks before her death.
Isabelle died shortly after sustaining a "massive head injury" at her mother's home in Thornaby, Teesside. Her mother, Alexandra Walker, 26, and her boyfriend, Harrison Simpson, 22, were convicted of murder in July. Simpson was also convicted of sexually assaulting the toddler, while Walker was acquitted of that charge. Both were sentenced to life in prison, with Simpson receiving a minimum term of 27 years and 48 days, and Walker a minimum of 21 years and 48 days.
Joshua Welsh, Isabelle's father, criticized the NHS and police for not intervening to prevent the abuse. He detailed an incident where Walker delayed seeking medical attention for Isabelle for two weeks after she sustained a fractured leg. When Walker finally took Isabelle to North Tees Hospital 11 days before her death on September 14, 2025, hospital staff expressed concerns about potential abuse and were hesitant to allow Isabelle to return home with Walker. However, Walker became argumentative, and the concerns were overruled by clinical doctors, allowing Isabelle to return home.
Further failures emerged when it was revealed that Simpson was the subject of an arrest warrant issued 18 months prior to the murder, which police had failed to execute. Mr. Welsh stated he only learned of this outstanding warrant two days after the verdict, discovering it through local radio. He expressed anger and disappointment, asserting that if police had performed their duties correctly, Isabelle would still be alive. He intends to campaign for stricter police checks to prevent similar tragedies.
Mr. Welsh also pointed to failures by social services and NHS child protection, stating that "several chances for the authorities to step in and save her" were missed. He recalled his daughter as a happy and cheeky child with a bright smile.
Court proceedings revealed that Walker had concerns about Simpson, whom she met on Facebook Dating, and had even checked the sex offenders' register. Despite these suspicions, she continued the relationship and did not break up with him.
Mr. Welsh stated he and Walker separated in August 2024 after a five-year relationship. He had not seen his daughter for several months prior to her death but had no welfare concerns for her during that period. He had never heard of Simpson until his arrest.
In response to the outstanding warrant, Cleveland Police acknowledged that the time Simpson had an outstanding warrant was "far from adequate" and that a review was immediately conducted upon his arrest for murder. The force stated that multiple inquiries and arrest attempts were made to locate Simpson but were unsuccessful.