Ethan's mum feared child had been beaten up, murder trial hears

A MUM saw bruises on her “skeletal” son and feared he had been “beaten up”, a murder trial heard yesterday.

- By DAVID POWELL Daily Post Reporter

Shannon Ives said she noticed the “purple” and “yellow” marks on her son, Ethan Ives-Griffiths.

The bruises were spotted on the two-year-old’s arms, legs and back on August 13, 2021, at the home of his grandparents, Michael and Kerry Ives, in Garden City, his mum Shannon told police.

She said she had tried to leave, as it “wasn’t safe” there, but the issue “blew over”.

The jury at Mold Crown Court has heard the following day Ethan collapsed there.

Paramedics took him to the Countess of Chester Hospital on August 14 and he was transferred to Alder Hey children’s hospital on Merseyside where he died two days later on August 16. He was found with “catastrophic” injuries, including 40 external injuries.

Yesterday, the court also heard how Ethan’s grandmother Kerry said she had a violent upbringing.

Kerry Ives said her mother would hit her over the head with a “hard brush”.

Kerry, 46, and husband Michael Ives, 47, deny murdering Ethan.

The couple, of Kingsley Road, Garden City, also deny causing or allowing the death of a child, and child cruelty.

Ethan’s mum Shannon Ives, 28, of Nant Garmon, Mold, denies causing or allowing the death of a child, and child cruelty.

On day 13 of the trial, more police interviews with the defendants were read out to the jury.

Shannon said she came downstairs on August 13, 2021 and found Ethan on the rug, with his back to the sofa.