TRAGIC END FOR ELSIE SCULLY: DELABOLE AND HICKS CHILD'S FATAL INJURIES IN CARDIFF

In November 2017, a heartbreaking case unfolded involving the tragic death of 18-month-old Elsie Scully-Hicks, whose life was cut short by severe injuries inflicted by her adoptive father, Matthew Scully-Hicks. The incident took place in Cardiff, but the story begins in Delabole, where Matthew Scully-Hicks was originally from, before relocating to the Welsh capital.

Elsie’s death was the culmination of a series of violent acts committed over the eight months she lived with her adoptive family. Despite the outward appearance of a loving household, with Matthew Scully-Hicks presenting himself as a caring, stay-at-home father, the reality was far more sinister. During this period, social workers and health visitors regularly checked on the family, and no alarming signs of abuse were detected. Yet, just two weeks after the adoption was finalized, Elsie was found dead, suffering injuries that experts later compared to those resulting from a major trauma such as a car accident.

Matthew Scully-Hicks, a personal trainer, and his husband Craig appeared to have a picture-perfect life. They were married in 2012, had longed for children, and seemed to enjoy financial stability and a close-knit circle of family and friends. Behind closed doors, however, Matthew was struggling with his temper, often losing control violently. He managed to conceal the extent of his abuse, convincing those around him that the injuries Elsie sustained were accidental, thus avoiding suspicion during the adoption process. Even Craig, his husband, was unaware of the true nature of the violence.

During the trial, Craig Scully-Hicks described their family life as idyllic. “Let me be clear. My house was filled with love and happiness, all of the time,” he stated. “If I had suspected anything, I wouldn’t have tolerated it.” The couple married in 2012 and decided to expand their family through adoption. Matthew expressed to the court that he always envisioned them as a family with two children, emphasizing their shared desire to have children from an early stage. They eagerly anticipated witnessing their children’s milestones, such as first steps and first words, and planned for Matthew to stay at home while Craig, a company director, traveled frequently for work.

After adopting their first child, the couple decided to pursue a second adoption. Following a thorough assessment process that lasted a year, 10-month-old Elsie joined their household in September 2015. Social workers visited the family regularly, with visits scheduled every two weeks as Elsie adjusted to her new environment. Health visitor Jodie Golten saw Elsie on three occasions, describing her as a “happy, smiley child,” and noting that she appeared to be forming a strong bond with Matthew. Golten’s notes from her initial visit indicated that Elsie was engaging well with her adoptive father, with both making good eye contact and playing together. She later testified that she had no concerns about Elsie’s care.

However, disturbing messages from Matthew Scully-Hicks surfaced, revealing a different side of his experience at home. Text messages showed that he was struggling to cope with caring for Elsie, describing her as “Satan in a babygro” and a “psycho,” and complaining about her “diva strop.” Neighbors also reported hearing Matthew shouting and sounding exasperated, often swearing at Elsie and telling her to “shut up” when she cried.

Elsie’s injuries soon became evident, requiring hospital visits. Each incident was explained away by Matthew as an accident. For example, a fractured leg was attributed to a fall in the kitchen, with a doctor identifying one fracture but missing another, which could have raised concerns about child abuse had it been detected. Two months later, Elsie sustained a bruise on her forehead, which Matthew claimed resulted from her banging her head on a play kitchen. Health visitor Golten observed the bruise during a home visit and questioned Matthew about it. He later reported seeking medical advice, and Golten noted that the injury seemed consistent with Elsie’s developmental stage.

On March 10, 2016, Elsie fell down the stairs, an incident Matthew attributed to him failing to close a safety gate properly. He called emergency services, and a 27-minute call was played in court, during which he repeatedly urged Elsie to stay awake. Elsie was taken to hospital but was discharged later that day. Golten followed up with a phone call to Matthew after receiving hospital notes about the fall, noting that “appropriate action was taken from dad.”

Tragically, on May 25, 2016, Elsie was found unresponsive on the living room floor. Matthew claimed he had left her after changing her nappy, only to find her unresponsive upon his return. He was performing CPR when police arrived, and Elsie was rushed to hospital. Craig Scully-Hicks, who was at work, saw his daughter on the operating table, fighting for her life. However, the hospital staff soon recognized that Elsie’s injuries were severe and indicative of inflicted trauma. Dr. David Tuthill, a paediatrician, described Matthew’s behavior during the resuscitation as “very unusual,” noting that most parents in such situations are visibly distressed.

Further examinations revealed bleeding on Elsie’s brain, retinal haemorrhages, and multiple fractures, including a fractured skull and broken ribs. These injuries, consistent with “shaking impact syndrome,” pointed to deliberate abuse. Elsie’s condition deteriorated, and she died on May 29, 2016. Pathologists confirmed that her injuries were non-accidental, with some fractures caused days earlier. Dr. Sarah Harrison, who examined Elsie post-mortem, stated that she had never seen such injuries in a child of her age in her 20 years of experience.

Throughout the trial, Matthew Scully-Hicks maintained that he was unaware of how Elsie sustained her injuries. When questioned by police, he expressed frustration, saying, “I want answers as much as anybody but I cannot accept that the only answer people are giving me is that I have caused these injuries.” He insisted he was capable of coping and was not stressed while caring for Elsie, but the jury rejected his claims.

Elsie’s death was a devastating tragedy, with her adoptive father, Matthew Scully-Hicks, hiding the violence he inflicted from his family, social workers, and health visitors. Her case is now subject to a child practice review (CPR), a process initiated whenever a child dies or suffers serious injury suspected to be caused by abuse or neglect. The review aims to identify lessons that could prevent similar tragedies in the future, ensuring that other children do not suffer the same fate as Elsie in Cardiff, Delabole, or elsewhere.