Ianto's mom being held in a psychiatric institution is the only way I'm willing to accept anyone still being alive. Not that I wish poor Ianto grief, but him being utterly alone is the only thing that makes sense from the backstory we have on Ianto.

I see Ianto as an only child. Or, being the slightly older brother of a younger sister. Basically, I have fanwanked Ianto's over-emotional status in FOOTR. Basically in my mind he is that little boy, parents gone, sister gone. One day he wakes up, and it's just him. I see Ianto's family having died early on. I haven't decided whether I like them having died from something alien-related or not.