Adolescent Found Dead After Untrue Allegations of Stealing Cremated Remains
A teenage youth was discovered deceased just days following being wrongly blamed of stealing the cremated remains of a deceased baby during a break-in, an inquest has learned.
Tragic Finding
Kai Lloyd's parents found his body in his bedroom at his Connah's Quay residence on November 19th, 2021.
False Allegations Begin
The inquest heard how his mother got a communication on November 8th, 2021 via social media, from a woman asking if Kai was her child. The communication added: "Inform him appreciation for breaking into my apartment."
In a statement presented to the proceedings, the mother said the woman had been in the news, claiming her baby's remains had been stolen in a break-in - a allegation which was untrue.
Police Inquiry
An investigation report from police later concluded the supposed break-in victim had "provided false information" and "it now appears that said property was never stolen in the first place".
Media reports about the supposed taken remains generated social media comments, and although Kai was not identified in the posts, his parent said individuals "knew it was him".
The "online posts were extremely upsetting", she stated.
Emotional Wellbeing Effect
She added that her son had been diagnosed with mild ADHD, and as part of that condition, other individuals' opinions really were important to him.
"It would have hurt him deeply," she said, "particularly when this was untrue".
The teenager was detained at home, but nothing was found. He was transported to a law enforcement facility and later freed under investigation.
Police said they would be in touch, the inquest learned, but had not reached out to the family by the moment of his passing.
Isolation and Worry
His mother said Kai "withdrew into himself" after the arrest and "repeatedly inquired me whether I had heard anything from the authorities", because his condition meant sometimes "a minute could feel like much longer".
When she talked to him about the supposed incident, she said her son told her he had entered the house because the resident who lived there had said he could use the bathroom anytime he needed, but refuted removing anything.
Digital Bullying
In a joint statement between her and her spouse, the mother said her child was being harassed online after the accusations.
The inquest learned that one young adult urged Kai to end his life.
She had no worries on the evening before he passed away, describing how she had listened to him "chuckling and teasing".
She portrayed him as a "caring, loving" young man, and said her "family is totally shattered".
He had been "obviously concealing his worries", she said, noting that he could not stand to have anybody "have negative thoughts of him".
Educational Reaction
The hearing received testimony from school staff at the local secondary school.
On 8 November, she "heard some students discussing that the student had been arrested and that was the first I learned".
"He told me... he'd done nothing wrong," she continued.
After the conversation, the educator said she called Kai's parents' telephone and left a voicemail saying she had spoken to the student about the allegations.
The proceedings heard his family said they did not receive that communication.
Official Conclusion
Lead coroner informed the inquest he would await documents regarding what enhancements had been made to dealing with individuals with the condition, before deciding whether he should make a prevention of subsequent fatalities report.
Delivering a narrative finding, he stated: "Approximately November 8th, 2021, unsupported allegations were made against Kai Benjamin Lloyd, a young child.
"Likely falsehoods were subsequently embellished and exaggerated through the platform of online networks.
"On November 11th, he was questioned by the authorities and following his questioning he was freed whilst inquiries proceeded."
The coroner determined: "There is no proof that the actions or omissions of any agency caused or contributed to his passing and although it was the result of a self-inflicted action it is not possible to determine his purpose."