Ethan Ives Griffiths suffered weeks of abuse before dying from head injuries, court told.
North Wales, UK (EPICSTORIAN) — A toddler allegedly endured weeks of abuse and neglect before suffering fatal injuries at the hands of his grandparents, Mold Crown Court was told Monday.
Two-year-old Ethan Ives-Griffiths died from what prosecutors described as “catastrophic head injuries” while under the care of his grandparents, Michael Ives, 46, and Kerry Ives, 45, at their home in Garden City, North Wales, in August 2021.
The boy was transported to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool, where he later died.
Michael and Kerry Ives are charged with murder, assault, and child neglect. Ethan’s mother, Shannon Ives, 27, who was reportedly upstairs using her phone when the fatal injuries were inflicted, is facing charges of causing or allowing a child to suffer serious physical harm.
Court Told of ‘Weeks of Misery’ Before Death
During opening statements, prosecutor Caroline Rees KC described Ethan’s short life as “thoroughly miserable,” telling the court that the boy was “severely underweight” and “covered in bruises” at the time of his death.
“He was shown vanishingly little care by Kerry and Shannon and experienced casual brutality,” Rees said. “He would have experienced pain and misery in the weeks before he died.”
Rees alleged that Ethan was treated as “an object of abuse and neglect” and accused the grandparents of delivering a “deliberate blow” and possibly shaking him violently, causing the fatal injuries.
Mother Was Upstairs During Fatal Assault
Shannon Ives, who lived with her parents at the time, was reportedly in the same house but not present in the room when Ethan was fatally assaulted. Prosecutors claimed she displayed “no concern” for her son’s deteriorating health.
Rees said the assault that led to Ethan’s death was the culmination of escalating abuse, with neither of the grandparents providing any plausible explanation for how the injuries occurred.
“The fatal blow was inflicted shortly before Ethan’s collapse,” she told the jury. “It was the culmination of emotional and physical abuse by people who should have cared for him the most.”
Prosecutor Alleges ‘Pact of Silence’ Between Grandparents
Rees alleged that Michael and Kerry Ives had formed a “pact of silence,” trying to cover up their roles in the child’s death.
“They both had something serious to hide — namely, that they were involved in causing his death,” she said. “Not one adult sought medical help.”
The prosecutor also stated that the trio — Shannon, Michael, and Kerry — failed to protect Ethan or seek treatment despite obvious signs of distress, malnutrition, and injury.
Jury Hears of Failed Responsibilities and Shifting Blame
According to Rees, the three accused failed in their basic responsibilities as caregivers. Ethan was described as “painfully thin,” and no medical intervention was sought despite his evident deterioration.
Rees told the court that both grandparents attempted to deflect responsibility by blaming their daughter Shannon for the abuse and fatal injuries.
“The evidence will show that all three adults were aware of Ethan’s condition but took no action,” Rees stated.
Trial to Last Six Weeks
The trial at Mold Crown Court began this week and is expected to last approximately six weeks. The jury will hear testimony from medical experts, social workers, and other witnesses in the coming days.
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If convicted, Michael and Kerry Ives face life imprisonment for murder. Shannon Ives could also face a significant custodial sentence if found guilty of allowing her child to suffer harm.
