Relatives of murdered Wolverhampton two-year-old launch call for 'Ethan's Law' to protect vulnerable children

Ethan Ives-Griffiths' grandparents Michael Ives, aged 47, and Kerry Ives, aged 46, originally from Wolverhampton, were found guilty of murdering him. Ethan was severely underweight, with 40 visible bruises or marks, when he collapsed with a catastrophic head injury at home in Flintshire, North Wales on August 14, 2021.

His mother Shannon Ives, 28, who had been staying with her son at her parents’ home, was found guilty of causing or allowing his death and of child cruelty. They were convicted following a trial at Mold Crown Court last month.

The defendants will be sentenced in October.

Now a petition set up by Rebecca Shone is calling for "urgent reforms" in child protection laws.

The Change.org petition stated: "After four long years of relentless pursuit, we finally received a verdict in the tragic case of my beautiful nephew Ethan Ives-Griffiths – a bright, innocent two-year-old boy who was taken from us far too soon. Ethan died in August 2021 after suffering a catastrophic head injury at the home of his maternal grandparents in Wales.

"These were people who should have cherished and protected him. Instead, his grandfather and grandmother were found guilty of his murder. Ethan’s own mother was also convicted of causing or allowing the death of a child and cruelty to a child. She stood by while her son suffered - failing in her duty to protect him during the most vulnerable time of his life.

"When Ethan was found, he was severely malnourished, covered in bruises, and had sustained a traumatic head injury. He was later pronounced brain dead. The level of neglect and cruelty he endured is beyond words. While justice has finally been served, and Ethan’s soul can now rest in peace, the grief and loss our family feels will never fade.

"Ethan didn’t slip through the cracks, he was failed by a system that wasn’t built to respond when access is denied or when a child is in danger behind closed doors.

"That’s why I’m calling for Ethan’s Law to bring about the urgent reforms needed in child protection. Right now, social workers can carry out home visits without a warrant, but if they are refused entry (as they were in Ethan’s case) they have no power to escalate it unless the situation appears visibly urgent. We believe that must change.

"If entry is denied, the visit should automatically be escalated to the police for a welfare check. If this step is not taken, social workers must be held accountable for failing to follow protocol, especially when a child is already on the protection register. 

"We’re also calling for increased frequency of checks. For children on the register, visits should take place every five to seven days, not every 10. For children not yet on the register but known to services, we’re urging for checks every four to six weeks by health professionals such as health visitors or GPs. Regular, thorough monitoring of vulnerable children can help identify danger sooner, intervene earlier, and ultimately save lives.

"We couldn’t save Ethan but we can honour him by making sure this never happens again."

More than 31,000 people have so far signed the petition.

See the petition here.