Couple left dead toddler to go McDonald's, court hears

Isabella Wheildon, 2 was found dead at the East Villas temporary housing complex in Ipswich on 30 June 2023

A man and woman accused of killing a toddler went to McDonald’s and spent six hours in a pub after leaving her body locked in a bathroom, a court heard.

Isabella Wheildon, who was two years old, was found dead in a pushchair at temporary housing complex East Villas in Ipswich on 30 June 2023.

Her mum, Chelsea Gleason-Mitchell, 24, who previously admitted to causing or allowing her death, and Scott Jeff, 24, both denied murdering her.

Ipswich Crown Court also heard how the Bedfordshire couple shopped before drinking at the Corn Exchange in Bury St Edmunds after leaving Isabella for the final time.

Chelsea Gleason-Mitchell previously pleaded guilty to causing the death of her daughter Isabella Wheildon but denies murder

The timeline of the pair’s movements on 30 June 2023 was detailed by prosecuting barrister Alex Kettle-Williams.

The jury was shown images and footage of Ms Gleason-Mitchell and Mr Jeff leaving their flat at about 11:18 BST before catching a bus into the town centre.

After being captured on CCTV buying an X-Box charger in CeX and spending time in Cash Exchange and McDonald’s, the pair headed to The Case Is Altered pub in Woodbridge Road.

Ms Gleason-Mitchell and Mr Jeff then got a taxi to Ipswich train station later that afternoon before catching a train to Bury St Edmunds.

The court heard how they then headed to the Corn Exchange pub – arriving at about 18:28 and not leaving until after 00:00.

Isabella Wheildon was found dead in a locked bathroom in a temporary housing unit in Ipswich

While at the pub, Mr Jeff was said to have had a text exchange with his mum, Sandy Duncan, who urged him to turn himself into the police.

He replied: “I can’t mum – it’s hard enough to lose a baby girl without them blaming us for it. I had such a strong bond with her. I am struggling with her passing away.

“I didn’t kill my baby.”

The court was also shown photos taken of Ms Gleason-Mitchell, while the pair were at the Corn Exchange, showing her smiling while drinking.

An image of Mr Jeff and Isabella with ‘R.I.P baby’ and a heart emoji written on it was also set as a screensaver on Mr Jeff’s phone while he was at the pub, the court heard.

The jury was also told how the couple's friend Joanne Gardner called the police with concerns about Isabella about 10 minutes prior to them leaving their flat on 30 June 2023.

Scott Jeff has denied murder, causing the death of a child and other offences

She told police how Ms Gleason-Mitchell had told her that Isabella was dead, had “stopped breathing in her sleep”, and had been in her pram for three days.

It was also heard that Ms Gleason-Mitchell had previously told Ms Gardner that Isabella’s body was “going to start to smell” and it was “covered in bruises”.

Ms Gleason-Mitchell and Mr Jeff have been 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.

Ms Gleason-Mitchell has denied murder but admitted causing or allowing her daughter's death and the other offences. Mr Jeff denied all the charges.

The trial continues.