Youth Discovered Deceased After False Allegations of Stealing Ashes
A teenage boy was found dead only a few days after being falsely accused of taking the ashes of a dead baby during a break-in, an inquest has heard.
Tragic Finding
Kai Lloyd's mother and father discovered his body in his bedroom at his Connah's Quay home on 19 November 2021.
Untrue Accusations Begin
The investigation learned how his mother received a communication on November 8th, 2021 via online platforms, from a woman inquiring if Kai was her offspring. The communication added: "Tell him thanks for breaking into my flat."
In a testimony presented to the court, the mother said the woman had been in the news, claiming her baby's ashes had been taken in a burglary - a allegation which was untrue.
Police Investigation
An investigation report from authorities later determined the alleged burglary complainant had "provided false information" and "it now appears that said items was never taken in the beginning".
News coverage about the supposed stolen ashes generated online responses, and although the teenager was not identified in the messages, his parent said people "understood it was him".
The "online posts were extremely upsetting", she said.
Emotional Wellbeing Impact
She explained that her son had been identified with moderate ADHD, and as part of that disorder, other individuals' views really mattered to him.
"It would have hurt him deeply," she commented, "especially when this was not true".
Kai was detained at his residence, but no evidence was found. He was taken to a law enforcement facility and later freed pending further inquiry.
Authorities said they would be in contact, the inquest learned, but had not reached out to the relatives by the time of his death.
Isolation and Anxiety
His parent said her son "became isolated" after the arrest and "would keep asking me whether I had received anything from the authorities", because his ADHD 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 entered the residence because the resident who resided there had said he could use the bathroom whenever he needed, but denied removing anything.
Digital Bullying
In a combined testimony between her and her husband, Mrs Lloyd said her son was being bullied online after the allegations.
The proceedings learned that one 19-year-old encouraged Kai to end his life.
She had no concerns on the evening before he died, describing how she had heard him "laughing and teasing".
She described him as a "caring, affectionate" boy, and said her "family is totally devastated".
He had been "clearly concealing his concerns", she said, adding that he could not bear to have anybody "think bad of him".
School Reaction
The inquest heard from educational personnel at the local High School.
On November 8th, she "overheard some boys talking that Kai had been arrested and that was the first I learned".
"He informed me... he'd was innocent," she continued.
After the discussion, the educator said she rang the family's family telephone and left a voicemail saying she had spoken to Kai about the allegations.
The court learned his parents said they did not got that message.
Formal Conclusion
Lead coroner informed the hearing he would await documents regarding what improvements had been made to dealing with suspects with ADHD, before deciding whether he should make a avoidance of subsequent deaths report.
Providing a descriptive finding, he said: "Around November 8th, 2021, unsubstantiated allegations were made against the teenager, a 14-year-old child.
"Probably untruths were subsequently exaggerated and amplified through the medium of online networks.
"On 11 November, he was interviewed by the authorities and following his questioning he was freed while investigations continued."
The official concluded: "Exists no evidence that the actions or failures of any agency led to or added to his passing and although it was the result of a self-inflicted action it is impossible to discern his intent."
