Family photoA couple accused of murdering their grandson were called “child beaters,” by their son, a court has heard.
Two-year-old Ethan Ives-Griffiths was living with his grandparents before he died on 16 August 2021 from a catastrophic head injury.
Michael Ives, 47, and Kerry Ives, 46, both of Garden City, Flintshire, deny murder, causing or allowing the death of a child and child cruelty.
Ethan’s mother, Shannon Ives, 28, of Mold, has denied causing or allowing the death of a child and child cruelty.
On Monday, Mold Crown Court heard details of text messages sent by members of the Ives family to each other.
In one message, Kerry Ives and her adult son discussed him moving out of her home because she lied about her tenancy.
In one message, Kerry Ives said: “The reason dad told you to get out was because you called us ‘child beaters’.”
Her son replied that by the time “you realise what you put all us kids through, it’ll be too late”.
His mother responded by saying: “What’s he put you through? Nothing.”
She said he too would have issues if “you had parents like he did: Kicked out at a young age, going into a children’s home, being hit every day”.
Kerry Ives said she too was “hit every day by my mum and dad”.
The court was told Mr Ives sent a text to another of his adult children after Ethan moved in to live with the couple.
It said when Ethan was being “naughty” he “needs to learn the hard way”.
By July 2021, Ethan was on the child protection register and the court heard details of repeated contact between Shannon Ives and social services.
In one text message, she asked: “I won’t have the children taken from me, will I?”
The jury heard social workers and health visitors made frequent attempts to contact Shannon Ives and establish where she and Ethan were staying.
Prosecutor Caroline Rees KC earlier told the court Ethan was “quiet and withdrawn, small and painfully thin”, by the time of his death.
He collapsed on 14 August 2021 after a “forceful attack” by those who should have cared for him most, the jury was told.
A post-mortem examination showed he weighed 22lb (10kg) and was 92cm (3ft) tall.
He had 40 different injuries on his body, including a swollen brain and numerous trauma injuries to his head and abdomen.
The court heard the pathologist concluded it was likely he had been the victim of non-accidental injuries and the cause of death was a head injury.
The trial continues.
