The grandparents of a two-year-old boy who was found with serious injuries at their home have denied killing him.
Kerry Ives, 45, and Michael Ives, 46, from Garden City, Flintshire, north Wales, today appeared at Mold Crown Court, via videolink from separate prisons accused of the murder of Ethan Ives-Griffiths on August 16 2021. The couple spoke to confirm their names and entered not guilty pleas to murder, causing or allowing the death of a child and cruelty to a person under 16 years.
Ethan's mother, Shannon Ives, 27, of Mold, appeared in the dock and denied causing or allowing the death of a child and cruelty to a person under 16. The charges allege cruelty took place from June 8 2021 until the toddler's death.
Judge Rhys Rowlands said a trial, expected to last four to five weeks, would be held on November 11. Kerry and Michael Ives were remanded in custody and Shannon Ives was released on bail.
Ethan was taken to Liverpool's Alder Hey hospital with a brain injury but died shortly after his arrival.
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