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Personal Snapshot

A 14-year-old boy was found dead only a few days after being wrongly blamed of stealing the ashes of a dead baby during a burglary, a coroner's inquiry has heard.

Tragic Finding

The young boy's parents found his remains in his room at his Connah's Quay residence on 19 November 2021.

False Allegations Start

The investigation heard how his mother got a message on 8 November 2021 via online platforms, from a individual asking if Kai was her offspring. The communication stated: "Tell him thanks for burgling my apartment."

In a testimony presented to the proceedings, Lisa Lloyd said the woman had been in the news, asserting her baby's remains had been taken in a burglary - a claim which was untrue.

Law Enforcement Inquiry

An investigation report from authorities later determined the alleged burglary complainant had "lied to police" and "it now appears that the property was never taken in the beginning".

News coverage about the alleged taken remains generated social media responses, and although the teenager was not identified in the messages, 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 identified with moderate attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and as part of that condition, other individuals' opinions genuinely mattered to him.

"It would have hurt him deeply," she said, "especially when this was not true".

The teenager was detained at home, but no evidence was discovered. He was taken to a law enforcement facility and later released under investigation.

Authorities said they would be in contact, the hearing learned, but had not reached out to the family by the moment of his passing.

Withdrawal and Worry

His parent said Kai "became isolated" after the arrest and "would keep asking me whether I had heard anything from the authorities", because his condition meant sometimes "certain periods could seem like much longer".

When she spoke to him about the alleged burglary, she said her child told her he had gone into the residence because the woman who lived there had said he could utilize the toilet anytime he wanted, but refuted taking anything.

Digital Harassment

In a combined testimony between her and her husband, Mrs Lloyd said her child was being bullied digitally after the allegations.

The proceedings learned that one 19-year-old urged the teenager to end his life.

She had no worries on the night before he passed away, describing how she had listened to him "laughing and teasing".

She described him as a "compassionate, affectionate" young man, and said her "family is totally shattered".

He had been "obviously concealing his worries", she said, adding that he could not bear to have anybody "have negative thoughts of him".

School Reaction

The inquest received testimony from educational personnel at the local High School.

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

"He told me... he'd was innocent," she added.

After the discussion, the educator said she rang the family's family telephone and provided a message saying she had spoken to the student about the allegations.

The court learned his family said they never receive that communication.

Official Finding

Senior coroner told the inquest he would await reports regarding what enhancements had been made to handling individuals with ADHD, before deciding whether he should make a prevention of future deaths report.

Providing a descriptive conclusion, he said: "Approximately 8 November 2021, unsubstantiated allegations were made against the teenager, a 14-year-old individual.

"Likely untruths were subsequently exaggerated and exaggerated through the platform of social media.

"On 11 November, he was questioned by the authorities and after his interview he was released while investigations proceeded."

The coroner concluded: "There is no evidence that the actions or omissions of any agency led to or added to his death and although it was the result of a personal act it is impossible to discern his purpose."