Adolescent Discovered Dead After Untrue Allegations of Stealing Ashes
A teenage boy was discovered deceased only a few days after being falsely blamed of stealing the ashes of a deceased infant during a break-in, an inquest has learned.
Tragic Finding
The young boy's mother and father found his body in his room at his Flintshire residence on 19 November 2021.
Untrue Accusations Begin
The inquest learned how his mother received a message on 8 November 2021 via online platforms, from a woman asking if her son was her child. The communication added: "Tell him appreciation for breaking into my apartment."
In a statement read to the proceedings, Lisa Lloyd said the woman had been in the media, claiming her baby's remains had been taken in a burglary - a allegation which was false.
Police Investigation
An official inquiry from authorities later determined the alleged break-in victim had "provided false information" and "it now appears that the property was not stolen in the first place".
News coverage about the alleged stolen remains generated social media responses, and although Kai was not identified in the posts, his parent said individuals "understood it was him".
The "online posts were really distressing", she stated.
Mental Wellbeing Impact
She added that Kai had been identified with mild attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and as part of that disorder, other individuals' opinions really mattered to him.
"It would have hurt him deeply," she said, "particularly when this was not true".
The teenager was detained at his residence, but nothing was discovered. He was taken to a law enforcement facility and later freed pending further inquiry.
Police said they would be in contact, the hearing heard, but had failed to reached out to the family by the moment of his death.
Withdrawal and Anxiety
His parent said her son "became isolated" after the arrest and "repeatedly inquired me whether I had heard anything from the police", because his condition meant sometimes "a minute could seem like days".
When she talked to him about the supposed burglary, she said her child informed her he had entered the residence because the resident who lived there had said he could use the toilet anytime he needed, but refuted taking anything.
Digital Harassment
In a combined testimony between her and her spouse, Mrs Lloyd said her son was being bullied online after the accusations.
The inquest learned that a 19-year-old encouraged the teenager to end his life.
She had no worries on the evening before he died, explaining how she had heard him "laughing and teasing".
She portrayed him as a "caring, loving" boy, and said her "relatives is completely devastated".
He had been "obviously concealing his concerns", she said, adding that he could not bear to have anybody "have negative thoughts of him".
Educational Reaction
The hearing heard from educational staff at Connah's Quay High School.
On 8 November, she "overheard some students discussing that the student had been detained and that was the first I learned".
"He informed me... he'd done nothing wrong," she added.
After the conversation, the educator said she called the family's family telephone and left a voicemail saying she had spoken to the student about the allegations.
The proceedings learned his family said they never got that message.
Formal Conclusion
Senior coroner told the inquest he would await documents regarding what enhancements had been made to dealing with suspects with the condition, before deciding whether he should make a prevention of future deaths report.
Providing a narrative finding, he said: "Approximately November 8th, 2021, unsubstantiated allegations were made against Kai Benjamin Lloyd, a 14-year-old child.
"Probably falsehoods were afterwards embellished and amplified through the platform of social media.
"During 11 November, he was interviewed by the police and after his interview he was released while inquiries proceeded."
The coroner concluded: "There is no evidence that the actions or omissions of any organization led to or contributed to his passing and although it was the outcome of a self-inflicted action it is impossible to discern his intent."