A CHILD PLACED IN HIS CARE NEVER GOT THE FUTURE SHE DESERVED — ELSIE SCULLY-HICKS CASE ENDED WITH LIFE SENTENCE

Elsie Scully-Hicks was only 18 months old when her life came to a devastating end — just days after the family she had been placed with formally became her adoptive family.

On November 7, 2017, Matthew Scully-Hicks was sentenced to life in prison at Cardiff Crown Court, with a minimum term of 18 years, after being unanimously convicted of murdering his adopted daughter.

The court heard that Elsie had been placed with Matthew, his husband Craig Scully-Hicks and their other child in September 2015. Matthew became the stay-at-home parent while Craig continued working full-time.

Less than eight months later, Elsie was dead.

A CHILD WHO HAD ALREADY SUFFERED INJURIES

Before her death, Elsie had suffered several injuries while living with the family.

In November 2015, she sustained a serious leg injury. Matthew said she had fallen from an activity table. Although one fracture was identified, a second fracture to her thighbone was initially missed.

In December, she developed a significant bruise to her forehead. Matthew again provided an explanation for how it happened.

Another head injury was recorded in January 2016, and in March she was taken to hospital after Matthew said she had fallen down stairs.

An independent review later found that professionals had missed opportunities to identify and respond to some of these injuries.

THE MESSAGES THAT REVEALED HIS FRUSTRATION

During the murder trial, prosecutors presented text messages written by Scully-Hicks about Elsie.

The messages showed that he could become deeply frustrated by the toddler’s crying and behavior. He referred to her in derogatory terms, including calling her a “psycho” and comparing her to “Satan dressed in a Babygro.”

The prosecution argued that the messages provided important context for what happened inside the family home.

The judge later said Scully-Hicks had been aware that he was struggling but had not told his husband or professionals that he was unable to cope.

THE DAY ELSIE COLLAPSED

On May 25, 2016, just 13 days after the adoption had been formally approved, Elsie suffered the injuries that would ultimately kill her.

Earlier that day, Scully-Hicks had taken her shopping for an outfit for an adoption celebration.

Later, at the family’s home in Cardiff, Elsie collapsed.

At approximately 6:18 p.m., an emergency call was made. When paramedics arrived, the toddler was not breathing and was in cardiac arrest.

She was taken to hospital but died four days later, on May 29.

Medical examinations revealed catastrophic injuries.

According to the sentencing judge, Elsie had suffered a cardiac arrest, severe brain injury, subdural bleeding, extensive bleeding in and around the eyes, a full-thickness skull fracture and fractures to three ribs.

THE PROSECUTION’S CASE

Prosecutors said Scully-Hicks had gripped Elsie around the chest with enough force to fracture her ribs and then shaken her violently.

The skull fracture was attributed to an impact with a hard surface.

Scully-Hicks denied murdering Elsie and maintained that he had never been violent toward her.

The jury heard evidence from 12 medical experts and six doctors who had treated Elsie.

After deliberating, jurors unanimously found Scully-Hicks guilty of murder.

A JUDGE’S CONDEMNATION

When sentencing him, Mrs Justice Nicola Davies described Elsie as a “young, vulnerable and defenceless child” who had been entrusted to his care.

The judge concluded that frustration with Elsie’s behavior had turned into anger and that Scully-Hicks had deliberately inflicted the injuries that caused her collapse and death.

She described the killing as a “gross abuse of trust” because Elsie had depended on her adoptive parents for protection.

Scully-Hicks received a life sentence with a minimum term of 18 years.

A FAMILY LEFT WITH QUESTIONS

Elsie’s biological family had remained attached to her after she was removed from her birth mother’s care as a newborn.

Her birth grandmother, Sian O’Brien, told the court that the family had loved Elsie and had wanted her to grow up in a safe and loving environment.

The family later said they were “numb with pain” following her death.

An independent review subsequently found failures in the way some of Elsie’s earlier injuries were identified, recorded and responded to, raising questions about whether more could have been done to protect her before the fatal incident.

Elsie’s story remains a tragic reminder of the vulnerability of children who depend entirely on adults to recognize when something is wrong.

She was just 18 months old.

She had an entire childhood ahead of her.

She never got the chance to live it.