Found Guilty of Murdering Toddler Found in Locked Bathroom
A man has been found guilty of the horrific murder of two-year-old Isabella Jonas-Wheildon, whose body was discovered in a locked bathroom in Ipswich, Suffolk. The tragic case, which revealed shocking details of abuse and neglect, concluded at Ipswich Crown Court today.
The Verdict
Scott Jeff, 24, was convicted of murder after the court heard he had inflicted severe and “crash-like” injuries on Isabella in the 36 days he had been in her life. Isabella’s mother, Chelsea Gleason-Mitchell, 24, was acquitted of murder but admitted to causing or allowing the death of a child. She also pleaded guilty to child cruelty charges related to cocaine and cannabis exposure.
Jeff and Gleason-Mitchell, both of no fixed address, were residing in temporary housing in Sidegate Lane, Ipswich, at the time of Isabella’s death in June 2023. The jury heard how Isabella’s body had been moved around in a pushchair for three days before police discovered her under a pile of blankets with extensive traumatic injuries.
The Timeline
The couple arrived at the Ipswich housing unit on June 19, just 11 days before Isabella’s body was found. Prior to this, they had lived in hotels in Norfolk and even camped on a beach in Caister, reportedly to avoid Isabella’s father, Thomas Wheildon.
On the evening before their arrest, the pair had been spotted enjoying a night out at the Corn Exchange pub in Bury St Edmunds, while Isabella’s lifeless body remained in their housing unit. The court heard Gleason-Mitchell had admitted to a friend that Isabella had been dead for days and was “going to start to smell.”
The Evidence
Medical experts testified that Isabella had suffered catastrophic injuries akin to those from a severe car crash, including broken and shattered bones. Police discovered her body during a welfare check, and the evidence revealed extensive neglect and abuse. Gleason-Mitchell and Jeff had also exposed Isabella to harmful drugs, with both being found guilty of child cruelty charges related to cocaine and cannabis.
Family’s Heartbreak
Members of Isabella’s family were visibly emotional in court as the details of her suffering were revealed. Detective Chief Inspector Craig Powell of Suffolk Police praised their bravery, stating, “This poor family have had to endure not only the loss of their precious Isabella but also the harrowing details of her final weeks.
He condemned Jeff’s actions and Gleason-Mitchell’s failure to protect her daughter, adding: “There were countless opportunities for her to intervene and stop the suffering.”
Sentencing and Reflection
Judge Mr Justice Neil Garnham told Jeff that a life sentence was mandatory, with the minimum term to be set during sentencing on December 13. He also emphasized the gravity of the mother’s inaction despite witnessing the abuse.
Isabella’s death has left a lasting impact on her family and community, with Suffolk Police reiterating the importance of safeguarding vulnerable children and holding perpetrators accountable.
This case serves as a chilling reminder of the devastating consequences of abuse and neglect, highlighting the need for vigilance and intervention in protecting society’s most vulnerable.
