Life with killer grandparents ‘like a cult’
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When the horrors surrounding the murder of toddler Ethan Ives-Griffiths came to light, details of the violent household he lived in did not surprise everyone.
The two-year-old was murdered by grandparents Michael Ives, 47, and Kerry Ives, 46, at their home in Garden City, Flintshire, in August 2021.
Ethan’s paternal grandmother, Kellie Shone, believes something sinister had been building for years, describing the home as “like a cult”, where Michael Ives would threaten to kill his children and grandchildren to control them through fear.
The couple are due to be sentenced for murder on Friday, alongside Ethan’s mother, Shannon Ives, 28, who was found guilty of causing or allowing her son’s death, and child cruelty.
“I’ve seen messages, where he’s messaged Shannon saying he was going to run her over and her kid – the eldest,” said Ms Shone, referring to Michael Ives.
“‘I’m going to run you and your son over’.
“When she fell pregnant with the next child, he was going to kick it out of her stomach – words out of his mouth that he has texted his own daughter.”
This was the environment Ms Shone believes Ethan was entering when he went to live with his maternal grandparents for seven weeks after his mother split from his father, Will Griffiths.
During that time Ethan became severely malnourished and underweight, and had multiple bruises on his body.
He died from a catastrophic brain injury, caused by one, or both of his grandparents.
Members of Ethan’s paternal family have told BBC Wales Michael Ives was abusive and controlling, and worried he would lose power over his daughter Shannon if she was in a relationship.
Read more https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwynw3zev3lo.amp
Content retrieved from: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwynw3zev3lo.amp.
