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Personal Snapshot

A 14-year-old boy was found dead just days following being falsely accused of stealing the cremated remains of a deceased baby during a break-in, an inquest has heard.

Tragic Finding

Kai Lloyd's mother and father found his remains in his room at his Flintshire home on November 19th, 2021.

Untrue Allegations Begin

The investigation learned how his mother received a message on November 8th, 2021 via online platforms, from a individual asking if her son was her offspring. The message stated: "Inform him appreciation for breaking into my flat."

In a statement read to the proceedings, the mother said the woman had been in the media, asserting her infant's remains had been stolen in a burglary - a allegation which was untrue.

Law Enforcement Inquiry

An investigation report from police later concluded the supposed burglary complainant had "provided false information" and "it now appears that said items was not stolen in the first place".

News coverage about the alleged stolen ashes generated online responses, and although Kai was not named in the posts, his mother said individuals "understood it was him".

The "social media content were extremely upsetting", she said.

Emotional Wellbeing Impact

She added that her son had been diagnosed with mild attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and as part of that disorder, other peoples' views genuinely were important to him.

"This must have affected him severely," she commented, "especially when this was untrue".

Kai was detained at his residence, but no evidence was found. He was transported to a police station and later released under investigation.

Authorities said they would be in contact, the hearing learned, but had failed to reached out to the relatives by the moment of his passing.

Withdrawal and Worry

His parent said Kai "withdrew into himself" after the arrest and "would keep asking me whether I had received anything from the police", because his ADHD meant sometimes "certain periods could feel like much longer".

When she talked to him about the alleged burglary, she said her child told her he had entered the house because the woman who lived there had said he could utilize the bathroom whenever he needed, but refuted removing anything.

Digital Bullying

In a joint statement between her and her spouse, the mother said her son was being harassed online after the allegations.

The proceedings learned that a 19-year-old encouraged Kai 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, affectionate" boy, and said her "family is completely shattered".

He had been "obviously hiding his concerns", she stated, noting that he could not stand to have anyone "think bad of him".

Educational Response

The inquest heard from educational personnel at the local High School.

On 8 November, she "overheard some students discussing that the student had been arrested and that was the first I learned".

"He informed me... he'd done nothing wrong," she added.

After the discussion, the staff member said she rang Kai's family telephone and provided a message saying she had communicated to Kai about the allegations.

The court learned his parents said they never got that communication.

Official Finding

Senior investigator informed the hearing he would await reports regarding what enhancements had been made to dealing with individuals with ADHD, before determining whether he should make a avoidance of subsequent fatalities report.

Providing a narrative conclusion, he said: "Around November 8th, 2021, unsubstantiated accusations were made against the teenager, a 14-year-old child.

"Probably falsehoods were subsequently exaggerated and exaggerated through the medium of social media.

"On 11 November, he was questioned by the police and after his questioning he was released whilst investigations proceeded."

The coroner determined: "Exists no proof that the acts or failures of any agency caused or added to his passing and although it was the result of a self-inflicted act it is impossible to discern his intent."