Grandparents Convicted of Murdering Two-Year-Old Grandson

A couple has been convicted of the murder of their two-year-old grandson, Ethan Ives-Griffiths, who was found in a critical state at their home in Flintshire, North Wales. On August 14, 2021, Ethan collapsed with a catastrophic head injury, weighing merely 10 kg and showing signs of severe dehydration and malnutrition, including 40 visible bruises on his body. The jury at Mold Crown Court found Michael Ives, aged 47, and Kerry Ives, aged 46, guilty of his murder and of child cruelty.

The court heard that Ethan’s mother, Shannon Ives, aged 28, who had been residing with her son at her parents’ home in Garden City, was also found guilty of causing or allowing his death, as well as child cruelty. The prosecution argued that Ethan was “targeted for abuse and subjected to casual cruelty.”

During the five-and-a-half-week trial, jurors were visibly distressed as they viewed CCTV footage from the family home. The videos depicted Michael Ives carrying Ethan by the arm in a manner described by prosecutor Caroline Rees KC as treating him “as though Ethan was just a bag of rubbish.” The footage also showed instances of physical punishment, including Michael Ives appearing to punch Ethan after placing him in a car seat.

Ethan had been placed on a child protection register, necessitating that he be seen by a social worker every ten days. However, during the last scheduled visit on August 5, Shannon Ives informed the social worker that her son was napping. Subsequent visits were unsuccessful, with no one answering the door when the social worker attempted to check on Ethan in the days leading up to his death.

The court heard that Shannon had fled domestic violence in June 2021, seeking refuge with her parents. Testimonies revealed a tumultuous family dynamic, with Michael Ives alleging that his daughter was “quick-tempered” and physically disciplined her son, while Shannon countered that her parents had abused her in her childhood.

The jury learned that Ethan was subjected to humiliating punishments. He was made to stand with his hands on his head when he misbehaved. The CCTV footage from August 4 captured Michael Ives’s treatment of Ethan, which included directing a garden hose at him and encouraging other children to hit him.

Medical experts later determined that Ethan’s fatal head injury was likely the result of deliberate force or shaking. It reportedly occurred just before he collapsed while in the living room with his grandparents. At the time, his mother was on the phone upstairs. Despite the urgency of the situation, there was an 18-minute delay before emergency services were contacted.

Ethan was transported to the Countess of Chester Hospital and subsequently transferred to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool, where he succumbed to his injuries two days later.

The case has raised significant concerns about child protection protocols and the effectiveness of oversight in potentially abusive environments. The tragic death of Ethan Ives-Griffiths highlights critical issues surrounding the safeguarding of vulnerable children and the urgent need for systemic improvements in child welfare practices.