Ipswich mum admits to causing or allowing death of daughter

A woman has denied murdering her two-year-old daughter but admitted to causing or allowing her death after the child was found locked in a bathroom.

Isabella Rose Wheildon's body was discovered in a pushchair at the East Villas complex in Sidegate Lane, Ipswich, on 30 June 2023.

Chelsea Gleason-Mitchell, 24, and Scott Jeff, 24, both from Bedfordshire, were charged with murder, causing or allowing the death of a child, cruelty to a child in relation to cocaine, and cruelty to a child in relation to cannabis.

At Ipswich Crown Court, Ms Gleason-Mitchell pleaded not guilty to murder but admitted to causing or allowing her daughter's death and the other offences. Mr Jeff denied all the charges.

The defendants, who were in a relationship at the time of Isabella's death, were arrested after officers found the two-year-old at about 13:10 BST in the temporary housing unit where they were living.

She was discovered in her pushchair inside a locked bathroom before being declared dead at the scene by a paramedic.

Last year an inquest heard the two-year-old, who was born on 22 September 2020 in Stevenage, died between 26-30 June 2023.

An initial post-mortem examination was carried out on Isabella's body but further tests were required to establish the cause of death.

A referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) regarding previous contact Norfolk Police had with the child.

Speaking last year, an IOPC spokesperson said: "We have received a mandatory referral from Norfolk Police regarding contact officers had with the deceased in the weeks prior to her death.

"We are currently assessing the referral to determine whether further action may be required from us."

The trial, which is expected to begin tomorrow, is being presided over by the High Court Judge, Mr Justice Garnham.

He said: "This is a substantial and important trial which will take between six and eight weeks."