Grandparents jailed for murdering Garden City toddler Ethan Ives-Griffiths
The grandparents of two-year-old Ethan Ives-Griffiths have been jailed for his murder, while his mother was also sentenced for her role in his death.
At Mold Crown Court today, Friday 3 October, Michael Ives, 48, and his wife Kerry Ives, 46, of Kingsley Road, Garden City, Deeside, were sentenced to life imprisonment. Michael must serve a minimum of 23 years and Kerry a minimum of 17 years.
Their daughter, 28-year-old Shannon Ives of Mornant Avenue, Prestatyn, was sentenced to 12 years.
The three were convicted following a six-week trial which concluded on 15 July 2025.
[Michael Ives, 48-years-old, of Kinglsey Road, Garden City, Deeside – life imprisonment with a minimum term of 23 years.]
A jury of seven women and five men found Michael and Kerry Ives guilty of murder.
All three were also convicted of child cruelty, and Shannon Ives was found guilty of allowing her son’s death.
Detectives from North Wales Police carried out a lengthy investigation into the events that led to Ethan’s death in August 2021.
Officers gathered evidence from witnesses and medical experts and reviewed hundreds of hours of CCTV footage from the Ives’ home.
[Kerry Ives, 46-years-old, of Kinglsey Road, Garden City, Deeside – life imprisonment with a minimum term of 17 years.]
The investigation revealed how Ethan was subjected to weeks of physical and emotional abuse, and was denied food and water.
On 14 August 2021, less than two months after moving in with his grandparents, Ethan suffered a catastrophic head injury while his mother was upstairs on the phone.
He collapsed and was left for 18 minutes before an ambulance was called. He died two days later at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool.
CCTV showed the mistreatment and humiliation of Ethan by Michael Ives, while Kerry and Shannon failed to intervene. Doctors later found he was dangerously thin, dehydrated and covered in injuries.
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Superintendent Chris Bell, said: “Today’s sentences reflect the wicked behaviour Ethan was subjected to before his brutal murder in August 2021.
“Ethan, a beautiful little boy with his whole life ahead of him, had it stolen by his grandparents, while his mother did nothing to stop it.
“They were the very people who should have protected him, cared for him and loved him. It is impossible to imagine the terror a two-year-old would feel in suffering the punishments and horrific injuries he endured.
[Shannon Ives, 28-years-old, of Mornant Avenue, Prestatyn – 12 years.]
“My team has only ever been interested in justice for Ethan. He wasn’t here to tell us what happened to him, so it was vitally important that we gave him a voice and through a meticulous investigation, we have been able to piece together the facts about what happened to him.”
Detective Constable Lee Harshey-Jones said: “The anguish and heartache felt by Ethan’s paternal family is difficult to come close to imagining but I hope they can now find some comfort in knowing those who murdered Ethan, and allowed his death to happen, will spend many years in jail.
“His life was taken from him by his own family, before it had even started.
“Every hour spent working on this investigation was for one goal – to get justice for Ethan. This case is one that will stay with me and the team forever.”
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