Michael Ives: Shocking video surfaces of child killer abusing Ethan Ives-Griffiths days before he died
WARNING: GRAPHIC DETAILS
Harrowing footage of a grandfather who murdered his own grandson has surfaced, showing him abusing the toddler just days before he died.
Michael Ives, 47 and Kerry Ives, 46, were found guilty of killing their grandson, Ethan Ives-Griffiths, after he collapsed at their home in Flintshire, Wales.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Two-year-old Ethan fainted on August 14, 2021 and was taken to hospital, where doctors were shocked to find he had recently sustained a severe head injury.
The toddler had an additional 40 injuries on his body, including bruises and grip marks, and was also extremely thin, weighing only 10kg.
He died in hospital just two days later.
During the month-long trial, several disturbing video clips depicting abuse were shown to the court, The Sun reported.
One clip shows the toddler’s grandfather yanking him off a trampoline and dragging him by pulling at just one of his arms.
Caroline Rees, a prosecutor on the case, told the court the way Ives carried the boy was as though Ethan “was just a bag of rubbish to be slung out”.
Another shows the toddler being shoved back into the seat of a car.
A third video shows the boy being pushed through a gate by his grandfather, while his grandmother stares at her phone.
The boy’s mother, Shannon Ives, 28, had been living with her son at her parents’ home after fleeing a domestic abuse situation.
She was found guilty of child cruelty and of causing or allowing her son’s death.
When Ethan collapsed, it took 18 minutes before his mother finally called emergency services.
Experts said Ethan would have soon died of dehydration if he had not already suffered the head injury because he was severely dehydrated and underweight while staying with his grandparents.
Detective Superintendent Chris Bell said: “It is beyond comprehension how anybody could treat a human being like that, let alone a defenceless two-year-old who you should be caring for”.
Justice Griffiths said the grandparents would be handed life sentences, and that Ethan’s mother faces a “substantial prison sentence”.
Sentencing is scheduled for October 3.
If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, phone 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) or the Crisis Care Helpline on 1800 199 008.
Lifeline: 13 11 14.
