Khaberni -Ethan Ives-Griffiths, a two-year-old child, tragically died at his grandparents' home in Flintshire county, Britain, due to a "catastrophic" brain injury following a prolonged episode of physical torture and harsh neglect perpetrated by his grandfather, grandmother, and mother.
The "Mold Crown Court" convicted the grandfather Michael Ives (47 years) and the grandmother Kerry Ives (46 years) of murder, after a trial that lasted about seven weeks, revealing shocking details of deliberate violence, starvation, and humiliation the child endured.
The child's mother, Shannon Ives (28 years), was also convicted of causing or allowing the death of a child, in addition to a charge of cruelty to him.
According to the British Broadcasting Corporation "BBC", Ethan was suffering from dehydration and severe weight loss, and over 40 clear bruises were found on his body when he collapsed on August 14, 2021. He was described by doctors as looking "skeletal", and he did not survive after being transferred to a children's hospital in Liverpool, passing away just two days later.
Home surveillance cameras showed shocking footage of the child's daily suffering, including scenes where the grandfather Michael Ives was seen grabbing his grandson by the arm as if he was a "garbage bag", as described by the prosecution, and forcefully placing him in a car seat, and even appeared to throw a punch at him.
In another clip, the child was seen unable to stand while playing on a trampoline, while his grandfather directed a hose at him and ordered another child to hit him.
During the trial, some jurors broke down in tears affected by the scenes, while Michael Ives admitted feeling ashamed of his actions and acknowledged the neglect and cruelty, but denied any other abuse of the child.
It was revealed that the child was registered on the social protection list, and was supposed to be visited by a social officer every 10 days; however, the last visit on August 5 was just a talk through the door, where Shannon claimed her child was sleeping.
No one answered the door during the following visits, and an appointment with a public health nurse scheduled for August 13, the day before the child collapsed, was also canceled.
The court learned that Shannon had moved into her parents' home to escape previous domestic violence, but her relationship with them was strained, alleging they had mistreated her in her childhood, while the father claimed she hit her child on a daily basis.
During the court session, the judge stated that the crime could only be met with one punishment, life imprisonment, affirming that the minimum sentence before the possibility of parole would be "after many years".
The court is expected to issue its final sentences for the three offenders on October 3.
