A mother and her boyfriend have been jailed for life for the murder and sexual assault of her two-year-old daughter, Isabelle Welsh. Alexandra Walker, 26, and Harrison Simpson, 22, were found guilty of murder and child cruelty. Simpson was also convicted of sexually assaulting the toddler.
Isabelle suffered a severe 'campaign of violence' in the weeks leading up to her death on September 14 last year, Teesside Crown Court heard. She sustained 21 broken bones and extensive soft tissue injuries. The fatal injury was a 'massive head injury,' consistent with being violently shaken with her head impacting a hard surface.
On the morning of Isabelle's death, Simpson was alone with the child and sexually assaulted her. He then left the property. When Walker awoke later that afternoon, she discovered Isabelle was barely conscious and bleeding. Instead of calling for medical help, Walker searched Google for 'Why would my toddler be bleeding?' An hour later, she contacted her stepfather, who urged her to call emergency services.
Despite a rapid ambulance response, Isabelle died in the early hours of the following morning.
Ms Justice Norton, the sentencing judge, described the pair's conduct as 'sadistic.' She stated that Walker's delay in calling for help was likely due to her belief that Isabelle was already dead and her concern for her own self-preservation. The judge noted that Isabelle was a 'happy and healthy child' before Simpson entered her life.
Simpson was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 27 years and 231 days. Walker received a life sentence with a minimum term of 21 years and 48 days. Both sentences include time spent on remand.
Before her death, Isabelle had been taken to a hospital with a fractured leg less than two weeks earlier. Hospital staff raised safeguarding concerns due to fears of potential abuse, but these were overruled by doctors. Walker reportedly became argumentative with staff and insisted the injury was from her cot. A subsequent call with a health visitor also did not lead to further intervention.
Detective Chief Inspector Steve Chatterton of Cleveland Police commented that Isabelle suffered catastrophic injuries at the hands of those who should have protected her. He added that her future was stolen and her family deprived of seeing her grow up.