A grandmother and grandfather have been sentenced to life in prison for causing the death of their two-year-old grandson, who suffered severe distress and ultimately died due to a catastrophic brain injury. Michael Ives, 47, and Kerry Ives, 46, were found guilty of murder after a trial lasting over five weeks in July, during which the jury deliberated for just one day.
The sentencing at Mold Crown Court saw Michael Ives receiving a minimum term of 23 years behind bars, while Kerry Ives was sentenced to a minimum of 17 years, to be served concurrently with a six-year sentence for child cruelty. The child’s mother, Shannon Ives, 28, was also found guilty of causing or allowing the death and child cruelty, resulting in a 12-year prison term.
The tragic incident occurred in Garden City, Flintshire, North Wales, where Ethan Ives-Griffiths was staying with his grandparents and mother. The court heard that the boy, who was severely underweight and showed signs of physical abuse, collapsed and died in the hospital two days later. Medical experts revealed that Ethan was so dehydrated that he would have died within 10 days even without the brain injury.
The family’s plea for “Ethan’s Law,” seeking to grant social services more authority in situations where access to a child is denied, has garnered significant support with over 35,000 signatures. The trial uncovered distressing details, including CCTV footage showing Michael Ives mistreating the child, who was placed on the child protection register but was not adequately monitored in the days leading up to his tragic death.
A safeguarding review is now underway to investigate the circumstances surrounding Ethan’s death, as questions arise regarding the effectiveness of the child protection measures in place. Ethan’s relatives are advocating for legislative changes to prevent similar tragedies in the future, emphasizing the need for justice and accountability in the wake of the heartbreaking loss.
