What started as just another summer weekend in a quiet North Wales town turned into an unthinkable tragedy.
A toddler named Ethan Ives-Griffiths lost his life in the most heartbreaking way imaginable.
And now, after a lengthy trial that left courtroom jurors visibly shaken, the truth about what really happened behind closed doors has finally been exposed.
Toddler’s Grandparents Convicted of Brutal Murder
Michael and Kerry Ives, aged 47 and 46, were found guilty of murdering their two-year-old grandson Ethan at their home in Garden City, Flintshire.
The Mold Crown Court delivered the verdict after just one day of jury deliberations, following a harrowing five-week trial.
At the time of Ethan’s fatal collapse on August 14, 2021, he had been staying at his grandparents’ house along with his 28-year-old mother, Shannon Ives.
Tragically, Ethan died in hospital two days later after suffering catastrophic brain injuries.
His body showed signs of severe neglect and trauma — medical experts described him as “painfully thin,” severely dehydrated, and covered in 40 visible bruises or marks.
One expert even stated that he likely would have died from dehydration alone had the head injury not occurred.
Shocking Footage Revealed in Court
Disturbing CCTV footage taken from the family’s own garden was a central piece of evidence.
One clip, recorded on August 4, showed Michael Ives grabbing Ethan roughly by the arm — as if he were nothing more than an object — and aggressively placing him into a car seat before appearing to punch toward him.
Other video clips played in court showed Ethan wobbling on a trampoline, looking weak and unwell, while other children bounced around him.
At one point, Michael Ives was seen spraying him with a hose, forcing the toddler to place his hands on his head — a form of punishment — and even gesturing to another child to hit him.
When questioned in court, Michael admitted that watching the footage made him feel “ashamed,” and he acknowledged being both cruel and neglectful.
However, he continued to deny having inflicted the final fatal injury.
A Pattern of Neglect and Abuse
The trial also revealed that Ethan was known to social services.
He had been placed on the child protection register, requiring regular welfare checks every 10 days.
But those visits never happened. His mother Shannon Ives had reportedly turned a social worker away on August 5, claiming Ethan was napping.
Days later, no one answered the door when another welfare check was attempted, and a health visitor appointment scheduled for August 13 was simply cancelled.
The court heard how Shannon had previously fled domestic abuse in June 2021, leaving her home in Mold to stay with her parents.
However, it quickly became clear that Ethan wasn’t safe there either.
Family Accusations and a Fractured Home
Throughout the trial, the family turned on one another.
Michael and Kerry Ives accused their daughter Shannon of frequently slapping Ethan and being quick-tempered.
Michael even claimed she hit her son multiple times a day.
But Shannon gave a different account — telling the court that her parents were “horrible” and had abused her throughout her childhood.
There was also testimony that Ethan had been punished by being made to stand with his hands on his head, a cruel disciplinary tactic witnessed in the surveillance footage.
According to doctors, by the time of his death, Ethan weighed only 10kg — dangerously underweight for a toddler his age.
The Final Hours Before Ethan Collapsed
The court was told that Ethan did not leave the house again until August 12.
On that day, Michael Ives was again seen on CCTV carrying the boy by the arm, putting him in the car seat, and appearing to strike him.
Just two days later, on the evening of August 14, Ethan collapsed in the living room.
Michael and Kerry were alone with him at the time while Shannon was upstairs on the phone.
Both grandparents claimed Ethan had simply fainted. Kerry then called Shannon to come downstairs — but shockingly, it took 18 more minutes before emergency services were contacted.
Paramedics rushed Ethan to the Countess of Chester Hospital, but due to the severity of his condition, he was transferred to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool.
Despite doctors’ efforts, Ethan died on August 16.
Medical Evidence and a Painful Conclusion
Medical examiners testified that Ethan’s fatal head injury was likely caused by a deliberate blow or violent shaking.
They also found other injuries — including grip marks on his leg and face and signs of abdominal trauma — that had been inflicted in the days leading up to his death.
Jurors were visibly distressed during parts of the trial, especially when the CCTV footage was shown. In the end, the evidence left little room for doubt.
Michael and Kerry Ives were convicted of murder, child cruelty, and causing or allowing Ethan’s death.
Shannon Ives was also found guilty of causing or allowing her son’s death and of cruelty to a child under 16.
What Comes Next?
Now that justice has been served through the court, attention is turning toward serious questions for social services.
How did multiple missed welfare visits go unchallenged? Why wasn’t more done to intervene earlier?
For Ethan — a little boy who didn’t even get to celebrate his third birthday — the system failed him on many levels.
His story is now a chilling reminder of the importance of vigilance, accountability, and protecting the most vulnerable. Sentencing for those involved is expected soon.
And for the wider public, Ethan’s tragic case has sparked renewed calls for systemic reform in child protection protocols.