The grandmother of a two-year-old girl allegedly abused and murdered by her mother and her mother's partner told police she spotted a bruise on the child's back days before her death, a court has heard.
Court Hears Evidence in Isabelle Welsh Murder Trial
Isabelle Welsh, two, collapsed at her home in Hartington Close, Thornaby, near Middlesbrough, after suffering a 'massive head injury' on September 13 last year, jurors were told. She died in hospital the following day.
Her mother, Alexandra Walker, 25, and Walker's partner, Harrison Simpson, 22, deny charges of murder, allowing the death of a child, sexual assault and child cruelty.
Jurors at Teesside Crown Court were shown an interview Claire Walker, Isabelle's maternal grandmother, gave to detectives following the child's death.
Grandmother Describes Isabelle's Health and Bruise
She described Isabelle as chatty, intelligent and generally healthy until she suffered a broken leg, for which she received hospital treatment. Jurors have been told this was 11 days before she sustained a fatal head injury.
After Isabelle and her mother returned home from hospital, the grandmother visited them and spotted a bruise on the toddler's back. She told detectives she said 'what the hell' when she saw it.
Ms Walker said her daughter explained that Isabelle had bumped herself on the sofa. She also told police she thought Isabelle may have picked up a virus from hospital, which explained why she looked unwell.
Grandmother Never Met Simpson
Giving evidence from behind a screen, the grandmother told the court she had never met Simpson, despite him having been in a relationship with her daughter for several months.
Ms Walker told the court her daughter explained that Simpson 'had anxiety and didn’t want to meet' with her.
She said her daughter had been a victim of domestic abuse in the past and that was why she had CCTV cameras in her home.
Defense Questions Love for Isabelle
She said she had never seen her daughter hit Isabelle and noted that the little girl was 'always immaculately dressed' and that the house was always clean.
Asked by Mark McKone KC, representing Walker, if her daughter loved Isabelle, the grandmother replied: 'I think she did.'
Walker's stepfather, Daniel Ackroyd, told police he received a panicked phone call from her after Isabelle collapsed.
He rushed to the house and performed first aid on the toddler until paramedics arrived, jurors were told.
Asked by Mr McKone whether he agreed that Walker 'worshipped' Isabelle, Mr Ackroyd replied: 'I do agree with that.'
The stepfather told the court Walker was 'visibly shaking' when he arrived and that he immediately dropped to the floor to help Isabelle.
Mr McKone asked: 'Was Alex very distressed?' Mr Ackroyd said: 'Yes sir, very.' The trial continues.
