Mother and Partner Convicted of Toddler's Murder
Isabelle Welsh suffered 21 broken bones and a catastrophic head injury before her death.
Carla Rooney
Alexandra Walker, 26, and Harrison Simpson, 22, have been convicted of murdering Walker's daughter, Isabelle Welsh, following a trial at Teesside Crown Court.
The relationship between Jessica Walker and Phillippe Simpson began in June 2025; the abuse against Isabelle reportedly commenced shortly after Simpson entered the little girl's life.
Court claims established the extent of Isabelle's injuries as so obvious that her mother, Jessica Walker, must have known about the ongoing violence.
Cleveland Police responded to Hartington Close, Thornaby, near Middlesbrough, on September 13, 2025, where officers found the toddler with a severe head injury.
Walker called 999 on September 13, reporting her daughter had collapsed; Isabelle died in hospital the following day.
Richard Wright KC, prosecuting, claimed the defendants had been up late drinking and smoking cannabis the day before Isabelle died from a severe head injury.
Walker reportedly stayed in bed the following morning, leaving Simpson in sole care of the toddler.
Simpson reportedly left the two-bedroom property around 3 PM on September 13; within 10 minutes of his departure, Walker searched 'Why would my toddler be bleeding' on Google.
Internal CCTV from her home recorded her saying, 'You're scaring me,' before she searched 'what should I do if my child has blood in his stool.'
Walker had previously told police that her new partner, Simpson, denied concerns she raised about bruises on Isabelle's body.
She also reportedly expressed concerns that Simpson might be a paedophile, checking if he was on the Sex Offenders' Register.
Simpson declined to answer police questions and did not give evidence at trial, leaving critical questions unanswered.
The prosecution claimed the couple blamed each other for the girl's injuries, but evidence implicated both adults in the sustained abuse.
Kirstie Devine confirmed the prosecution presented a raft of evidence, including pathology reports, expert medical evidence, home CCTV, and records of text messages and phone conversations.
This evidence showed only the two adults regularly with Isabelle could have harmed her, establishing a clear chain of responsibility.
For weeks this child had been violently assaulted and her death, by that terrible head injury, was simply the end point in that campaign of violence to which she had been subjected.
Josh Welsh, Isabelle's father, expressed profound grief, stating, 'My little girl… my whole life has been shattered, my whole family.'
Welsh added, 'My sisters and brothers have lost their niece. It means the world to me that we have justice for Isabelle.'
Rest in peace Isabelle. Daddy loves you all the world and back.
Isabelle Rose's family described her as 'always full of smiles,' noting she 'loved to watch Peppa Pig as that was her comfort show' and also 'loved her dummies and dancing.'
Sentencing for Walker and Simpson is scheduled for Thursday morning, as confirmed by Ms Justice Norton.
Ms Justice Norton described the case as 'difficult,' indicating the profound complexities involved in the legal proceedings and the tragic circumstances surrounding Isabelle's death.