Teenager Found Deceased After Untrue Allegations of Stealing Cremated Remains
A 14-year-old boy was found dead just days after being falsely blamed of taking the ashes of a dead baby during a burglary, a coroner's inquiry has learned.
Heartbreaking Discovery
Kai Lloyd's parents discovered his remains in his room at his Connah's Quay home on 19 November 2021.
Untrue Allegations Begin
The investigation heard how his parent received a message on 8 November 2021 via social media, from a woman inquiring if Kai was her offspring. The message stated: "Tell him thanks for breaking into my flat."
In a testimony read to the court, the mother said the woman had been in the media, claiming her baby's ashes had been stolen in a burglary - a claim which was false.
Police Inquiry
An investigation report from authorities later determined the alleged burglary victim had "provided false information" and "it now appears that said property was never taken in the beginning".
News coverage about the supposed taken remains generated social media responses, and although Kai was not named in the posts, his parent said individuals "understood it was him".
The "social media content were extremely upsetting", she said.
Emotional Wellbeing Impact
She added that Kai had been diagnosed with mild attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and as part of that condition, other individuals' opinions really were important to him.
"It would have affected him severely," she said, "particularly when this was untrue".
The teenager was detained at home, but nothing was found. He was transported to a police station and later released under investigation.
Police said they would be in touch, the inquest heard, but had not contacted the relatives by the time of his death.
Withdrawal and Worry
His parent said her son "became isolated" after the arrest and "repeatedly inquired me whether I had received anything from the authorities", because his condition meant sometimes "certain periods could feel like much longer".
When she talked to him about the supposed burglary, she said her son told her he had gone into the house because the woman who resided there had said he could utilize the bathroom anytime he wanted, but denied removing anything.
Digital Harassment
In a joint statement between her and her husband, the mother said her child was being harassed digitally after the accusations.
The proceedings heard that a young adult urged the teenager to end his life.
She had no worries on the evening before he died, describing how she had listened to him "laughing and joking".
She described him as a "compassionate, loving" young man, and said her "relatives is completely devastated".
He had been "obviously hiding his concerns", she said, noting that he could not bear to have anyone "have negative thoughts of him".
School Reaction
The inquest heard from school personnel at Connah's Quay High School.
On November 8th, she "heard some boys discussing that the student had been arrested and that was the first I heard".
"He informed me... he'd was innocent," she added.
After the conversation, the educator said she called the family's family telephone and provided a message saying she had spoken to the student about the accusations.
The court heard his family said they never got that message.
Formal Conclusion
Senior coroner informed the hearing he would wait for reports regarding what enhancements had been made to dealing with suspects with ADHD, before deciding whether he should make a avoidance of subsequent deaths report.
Delivering a descriptive conclusion, he said: "Around November 8th, 2021, unsubstantiated allegations were made against the teenager, a young individual.
"Probably falsehoods were subsequently embellished and amplified through the medium of social media.
"During November 11th, he was interviewed by the police and following his interview he was released whilst inquiries continued."
The coroner determined: "Exists no evidence that the actions or omissions of any agency led to or added to his passing and although it was the outcome of a self-inflicted action it is not possible to discern his purpose."