Why Was This Toddler Unseen by Child Protection Before Tragic Death?

The mother of a toddler who died from a catastrophic brain injury cancelled a health visit from child protection staff in the weeks leading up to his death, a court has heard. Ethan Ives-Griffiths, two, died on 16 August 2021 after collapsing at his grandparents' home. Ethan's grandfather Michael Ives, 47, and grandmother Kerry Ives, 46, from Garden City, Flintshire, both deny murder, causing or allowing the death of a child and cruelty to a child. Ethan's mother Shannon Ives, 28, from Mold denies causing or allowing the death of a child and cruelty to a child. Ethan was placed on the child protection register in July 2021 after a domestic incident that prompted Ms Ives to leave the family home with her children, Mold Crown Court was told on Tuesday. Dr Sarah Dixon, a paediatric consultant who reviewed the case for North Wales Police, said children on protection plans should be seen by the lead professional at least once every 10 working days, including a home visit at least once a month. Despite multiple attempts to follow the protection plan, Dr Dixon said Ms Ives cancelled a health visitor appointment on 13 August after Ethan collapsed and was unconscious for 10 minutes. The jury heard the reason given for the cancellation was that Ethan was "poorly due to problems sleeping". Instead the family took him to a supermarket - a decision Dr Dixon called "extraordinary" and "highly inappropriate". The following day, Ethan was again found unconscious in his grandparents' home. He was taken to the Countess of Chester Hospital, where he died on 14 August 2021. The court previously heard from a nurse in the hospital who said Ethan was bruised, looked "extremely malnourished" and was "skin and bone" when he was handed over by paramedics. Another nurse said when she and other medics examined Ethan's bruises, Ms Ives claimed they were from being unsteady on his feet while learning to walk. The court heard also heard statements from a paediatric consultant who said they were dealing with "a non-accidental injury". Dr Dixon's report concluded: "Ethan should have been taken for urgent medical assessment. To fail to do so was gravely irresponsible." When she was asked about Ethan's overall health and development, she said up to his last health assessment he was "normal developmentally" and a "healthy boy" with "no increased tendency to trip or fall". At Ethan's post mortem examination, 40 external injuries were recorded. The trial continues.