Toddler murdered by grandparents failed by system

The aunt of a toddler murdered by his grandparents has said he was failed by social services, who she believes should have done more to check on his welfare.

Ethan Ives-Griffiths, two, was murdered by his grandparents Michael and Kerry Ives at their home in Garden City, Flintshire, while he was on the child protection register.

His mother, Shannon Ives, was convicted of causing or allowing his death, and child cruelty.

Their trial heard how social workers were not always able to gain entry to the home to check on Ethan.

Flintshire council said it was co-operating with an independent child practice review by the North Wales Safeguarding Board.

In an online petition which has received more than 30,000 signatures, his aunt Becky Shone said Ethan was "failed by a system that wasnt built to respond when access is denied or when a child is in danger behind closed doors".

She said: "He shouldve been checked on every 10 working days. But that didnt happen, and thats where he was failed."

Michael Ives, 47, and his wife Kerry, 46, were convicted of Ethans murder in July, as well as causing or allowing his death, and child cruelty.

Their daughter, Shannon Ives, 28, from Mold, was found guilty of causing or allowing her sons death, and child cruelty.

Ethan died in August 2021 after suffering a catastrophic brain injury which the prosecution claimed was caused by one, or both, of his grandparents.

During the seven weeks he lived with them, he became severely malnourished, dehydrated, and had more than 40 injuries on his body when he died.

Ethan was placed on the child protection register after his mother Shannon, and father Will Griffiths, split in June 2021.

The toddler, his siblings and his mother went to live with the Ives.

The trial at Mold Crown Court heard Ethan should have been seen every 10 days because he was on the register.

However, the last time he was seen by a social worker was 22 July 2021 - more than three weeks before he died on 16 August.

Social workers and health visitors made multiple attempts to see Ethan, but were given excuses.

During one visit, on 5 August, a social worker remained on the doorstep for about 45 minutes because of Covid restrictions, but did not see Ethan because his mother said he was napping.

There was no answer when the social worker and a health visitor attempted to visit Shannon Ives on 12 August.

She did not respond to a call the next day either.

National guidelines set out in Wales Safeguarding Procedures state that in the case of children on the child protection register, a social worker should "actively engage with the child including... seeing the child alone at least every 10 working days and ensuring that the child is seen at home at least every four weeks".

Ethans aunt has started a petition, where she calls for matters to automatically be "escalated to the police for a welfare check" if social workers are denied entry.

If social workers do not escalate the case, she believes a so-called Ethans Law should also hold social workers "accountable for failing to follow protocol, especially when a child is already on the protection register".

She said: "The minute they missed those 10 days, every day after that was an opportunity for them to escalate that, for him to go and be checked on. But they didnt.

"As a human, you would go back and check on that child. You would go to the police and have a welfare check done.

"An innocent two-year-old left with three grown people that shouldve been looking after him and cherishing him. And yet they done the opposite."

Ms Shone also wants children on the protection register to be checked more frequently than every 10 days.

"I want to see that the days are brought down to five or seven days, and if the protocol isnt followed because the reviews arent done, then they need to be held accountable and consequences need to be given," she added.

Child protection expert David Niven said there was "enormous strain" on professionals during the Covid period, but said "if the social worker was apparently turned away, and somebody else says that there was also no answer on one occasion, that should have triggered, in my view, a red flag, whatever the circumstances".

He added: "Social workers have got absolutely no power whatsoever to enter somebodys home without permission.

"The only people that can do that are the police, and only under certain circumstances.

"Social workers are there and should have passed that on to the police if there was that level of worry, that level of kind of concern for the child on that day.

"Im not sure the social workers would want the extra powers themselves."

Flintshire council said Ethans death had "shocked and appalled the community of Flintshire" and "our thoughts remain with all those who loved and supported Ethan during his short life".

It added: "In keeping with our determination to protect those who need us most, Flintshire County Council is co-operating with an independent child practice review by the North Wales Safeguarding Board, who are leading a multi-agency review of this tragic case."

The Welsh government said: "Our thoughts are with everyone who loved Ethan. A Child Practice Review is being undertaken which will examine the actions of all agencies.

"We will carefully consider the learning identified by the review and ensure this is driven forward."

Michael and Kerry Ives, originally from Wolverhampton, are due to be sentenced with their daughter Shannon on 3 October.