A YOUNG Redditch mother “betrayed” her tragic baby daughter’s trust because she knew her “violent, volatile, short-tempered” partner posed a risk in the lead-up to her little girl’s death, a jury was told.

Twelve-week-old Isabella Vallance died at the hands of her father, Tyler Vallance, formerly of Engadine Road, Bromsgrove, who finally admitted killing her.

The mother, Jessica Wiggins, now 20, of Heathfield Road, Redditch, denies causing or allowing the death of her child by failing to protect her from Vallance, 21.

Christopher Hotten QC, prosecuting, told the jury at Worcester Crown Court that the prosecution was not suggesting that Wiggins herself inflicted any injuries.

He added: “She’s here to be tried because, we say, she knew full well that Tyler Vallance was a violent, volatile, short-tempered man, who posed a real risk of causing grievous bodily harm to her child – but did nothing to protect her against what proved to be fatal consequences.

“It is the first duty of a mother to protect her child – however much you may love the father of the child, however difficult it may be to take the child away.

“She betrayed the trust and duty she owed her daughter.”

Mr Hotten said Isabella, who was born prematurely when her mother, then aged 17, was only 34 weeks pregnant, died on December 12 2012 at Birmingham Children’s Hospital after spending five days in the paediatric intensive care unit.

Doctors had struggled to understand what was wrong with her but had suspicions after a post mortem showed the death was not a tragic accident but that she had been the victim of assaults.

Mr Hotten said it was not until June 18 this year that Vallance admitted at Worcester Crown Court that it was he who had killed his baby daughter.

Vallance had said he had caused her serious injuries three to four weeks before her death and, on December 7 2012 he caused her injuries that led to her death five days later.

Mr Hotten added that Vallance had been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), was under the care of a consultant and had problems controlling his anger.

Wiggins was the eldest of 11 children and caring for her younger siblings often fell on her shoulders because her mother and stepfather were heavy drinkers.

Social services, health visitors and doctors became involved with Wiggins and Vallance before Isabella was born.

But Mr Hotten said the jury was not concerned with whether the “caring agencies” should have protected the child – adding that was “for another day”.

On November 13, 2012, the neonatal outreach sister from the Alexandra Hospital, Redditch, visited the family at the home where they were then living in Stanley Close, Redditch, and noticed a bruise on Isabella’s left cheek.

But the parents suggested it was caused by pressure from her dummy and, after a check by a doctor, the child was allowed to remain with the couple.

Mr Hotten said the bruise could have been an outward sign of injuries Isabella had suffered.

He added that what the care agencies had been unaware of was that there were difficulties between Vallance and Wiggins.

She had complained to a friend that Vallance had grabbed her around the neck and cracked something on the fireplace that came close to hitting the baby.

The hearing continues.