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Personal Snapshot

One 14-year-old youth was found dead just days following being falsely accused of taking the ashes of a deceased baby during a burglary, an inquest has heard.

Heartbreaking Finding

Kai Lloyd's parents discovered his body in his room at his Connah's Quay home on 19 November 2021.

Untrue Accusations Start

The investigation learned how his parent got a message on November 8th, 2021 via social media, from a woman inquiring if Kai was her offspring. The communication stated: "Tell him appreciation for breaking into my apartment."

In a testimony read to the proceedings, Lisa Lloyd said the individual had been in the media, asserting her infant's remains had been taken in a burglary - a claim which was false.

Police Inquiry

An investigation report from authorities later concluded the supposed break-in complainant had "lied to police" and "evidence shows that said property was never taken in the first place".

News coverage about the supposed stolen ashes attracted online comments, and although Kai was not named in the posts, 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 mild attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and as part of that disorder, other peoples' opinions really were important to him.

"It would have affected him severely," she commented, "particularly when this was not true".

Kai was arrested at home, but no evidence was found. He was transported to a police station and later released pending further inquiry.

Police said they would be in contact, the hearing learned, but had not contacted the relatives by the time of his death.

Withdrawal and Worry

His parent said her son "withdrew into himself" after the detention and "would keep asking me whether I had heard anything from the authorities", because his ADHD meant sometimes "certain periods could feel like much longer".

When she talked to him about the supposed incident, she said her son informed her he had gone into the residence because the resident who lived there had said he could utilize the bathroom anytime he wanted, but refuted removing anything.

Online Bullying

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

The proceedings heard that one young adult encouraged the teenager to end his life.

She had no worries on the evening before he died, explaining how she had listened to him "laughing and joking".

She portrayed him as a "caring, loving" young man, and said her "family is totally shattered".

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

Educational Reaction

The hearing received testimony from school personnel at Connah's Quay secondary school.

On 8 November, she "overheard some boys talking that Kai had been detained and that was the first I learned".

"He told me... he'd done nothing wrong," she continued.

After the conversation, the staff member said she called the family's parents' landline and left a message saying she had spoken to the student about the accusations.

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

Official Finding

Senior investigator told the inquest he would await reports regarding what enhancements had been made to handling suspects with the condition, before deciding whether he should make a avoidance of subsequent fatalities report.

Providing a narrative finding, he stated: "Approximately November 8th, 2021, unsupported accusations were made against the teenager, a young child.

"Likely falsehoods were subsequently embellished and amplified through the platform of social media.

"During 11 November, he was interviewed by the police and after his questioning he was freed while inquiries proceeded."

The coroner concluded: "Exists no evidence that the acts or failures of any organization led to or contributed to his passing and although it was the outcome of a personal action it is not possible to determine his purpose."