Teenager Discovered Dead After False Allegations of Stealing Cremated Remains
A 14-year-old boy was found dead only a few days following being wrongly blamed of taking the ashes of a deceased infant during a burglary, an inquest has learned.
Tragic Discovery
Kai Lloyd's mother and father discovered his remains in his room at his Flintshire residence on November 19th, 2021.
False Allegations Start
The inquest heard how his parent received a communication on 8 November 2021 via social media, from a individual inquiring if Kai was her offspring. The communication stated: "Inform him thanks for burgling my flat."
In a statement read to the proceedings, Lisa Lloyd said the individual had been in the media, claiming her baby's ashes had been taken in a burglary - a claim which was untrue.
Police Investigation
An investigation report from police later concluded the supposed burglary complainant had "lied to police" and "it now appears that the items was never stolen in the beginning".
News coverage about the alleged taken ashes attracted social media responses, and although the teenager was not identified in the posts, his parent said individuals "knew it was him".
The "online posts were really distressing", she said.
Mental Wellbeing Impact
She explained that Kai had been diagnosed with mild ADHD, and as part of that disorder, other individuals' opinions really mattered to him.
"It would have affected him severely," she commented, "especially when this was not true".
The teenager was arrested at his residence, but nothing was found. He was taken to a police station and later freed under investigation.
Authorities said they would be in touch, the inquest heard, but had not contacted the family by the moment of his passing.
Isolation and Worry
His mother said her son "withdrew into himself" after the detention and "repeatedly inquired me whether I had heard anything from the authorities", because his condition meant sometimes "certain periods could seem like days".
When she spoke to him about the alleged burglary, she said her son informed her he had gone into the residence because the resident who resided there had said he could utilize the bathroom anytime he wanted, but denied removing anything.
Online Bullying
In a combined testimony between her and her spouse, the mother said her child was being harassed digitally after the allegations.
The inquest heard that one 19-year-old urged the teenager to kill himself.
She had no worries on the evening before he died, explaining how she had heard him "chuckling and teasing".
She portrayed him as a "compassionate, affectionate" boy, and said her "family is totally shattered".
He had been "obviously hiding his worries", she said, adding that he could not bear to have anyone "have negative thoughts of him".
Educational Response
The hearing heard from school staff at Connah's Quay secondary school.
On November 8th, she "overheard some students talking that the student had been detained and that was the initial I heard".
"He told me... he'd done nothing wrong," she added.
After the conversation, the staff member said she called the family's parents' telephone and left a message saying she had communicated to Kai about the accusations.
The court heard his parents said they never got that message.
Official Conclusion
Lead investigator told the inquest he would wait for documents regarding what improvements had been made to dealing with individuals with ADHD, before deciding whether he should make a prevention of future fatalities report.
Providing a descriptive finding, he stated: "Approximately 8 November 2021, unsubstantiated allegations were made against the teenager, a 14-year-old child.
"Probably falsehoods were subsequently embellished and amplified through the platform of online networks.
"On 11 November, he was questioned by the authorities and after his interview he was freed while investigations proceeded."
The official concluded: "Exists no evidence that the acts or failures of any organization led to or added to his passing and although it was the result of a self-inflicted act it is impossible to determine his purpose."