Grandparents Found Guilty of Killing ‘Painfully Thin’ 2-Year-Old Grandson While Mother Was Upstairs on the Phone: Reports

A pair of grandparents in Wales have been found guilty of murdering their 2-year-old grandson, who arrived at the hospital with fatal injuries, emaciated and covered in bruises, a U.K. court has heard.

On Tuesday, July 15, the Mold Crown Court convicted Michael Ives, 47, and Kerry Ives, 46, both of Garden City, Deeside, of the murder of Ethan Ives-Griffiths, who died in August 2021, according to North Wales Police. Ethan’s mother, Shannon Ives, 28, was also found guilty of causing or allowing his death and of child cruelty.

The court heard that Ethan suffered “casual brutality” at the hands of his grandparents, while other children were encouraged to mistreat him as if it were a form of play, prosecutors said.

Ethan’s Final Days: Starvation, Assault, and Neglect

Ethan was taken to the hospital on August 14, 2021, in a critical state. Doctors found him painfully underweight, severely dehydrated, with cracked lips, and 40 visible injuries, including bruises across his body. He was placed on life support but died two days later.

According to the police statement, Ethan was routinely beaten, starved of food and water, and forced into stress positions when he failed to follow his grandfather’s commands. His siblings, in contrast, were not subjected to the same treatment.

“This sustained period of abuse ended with him being murdered by his grandfather,” police said.

A paediatric neurosurgeon who examined Ethan’s injuries described them as “catastrophic,” noting that his brain was so swollen he was effectively having a stroke on one side of his brain. The injuries suggested he had been struck with force or violently shaken.

Home of Abuse: Missed Checks and Delayed Response

Ethan had been living with his grandparents since late June 2021 after his mother, Shannon, separated from his father, Will Griffiths, following a domestic dispute. She moved into the grandparents’ home shortly after.

On the night of Ethan’s collapse, Shannon was reportedly upstairs on the phone. CCTV footage later showed Michael dragging the toddler by the arm and allegedly punching him while placing him in a car seat.

Authorities also revealed that Ethan was on the child protection register, requiring visits from social workers every 10 days. However, multiple attempts to check on him in early August were unsuccessful — a visit on August 5 was missed after Shannon claimed Ethan was napping, and a health visitor appointment on August 13 was canceled.

Investigators said it took the grandparents nearly 20 minutes to call for help after Ethan collapsed, and that Michael and Kerry Ives attempted to hide the truth about what had happened.

Verdict and Aftermath

Detective Superintendent Chris Bell said following the verdict:

“Michael, Kerry, and Shannon Ives held positions of responsibility and should have shown Ethan love, care, and protection. Instead, Michael caused distress, pain, and misery before brutally taking his life.”

He added, “Kerry and Shannon both watched and did nothing as the abuse unfolded. Their behavior was beyond comprehension… it is impossible to imagine the terror a two-year-old would feel enduring such horrific abuse from those he should have trusted the most.”

Police noted a “visible deterioration” in Ethan’s appearance over the seven weeks he lived with his grandparents, leading up to his death.

Ethan’s father, Will Griffiths, shared a heartbreaking statement:

“Unfortunately, I didn’t get much time with Ethan, but the time I did have was precious. He will never be forgotten… He can now rest in peace, knowing that justice has been served.”

Sentencing Set for October

Michael, Kerry, and Shannon Ives will be sentenced at Mold Crown Court on Friday, October 3. The Crown Prosecution Service declined to comment further at this time.