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A teenage youth was found dead only a few days following being wrongly blamed of stealing the ashes of a deceased infant during a burglary, a coroner's inquiry has learned.

Heartbreaking Finding

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

Untrue Accusations Start

The inquest learned how his parent received a communication on 8 November 2021 via social media, from a woman asking if Kai was her child. The communication stated: "Inform him appreciation for burgling my apartment."

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 false.

Law Enforcement Investigation

An investigation report from authorities later determined the alleged break-in complainant had "lied to police" and "it now appears that the property was not taken in the beginning".

News coverage about the alleged stolen ashes generated social media comments, and although the teenager was not identified in the posts, his parent said people "knew it was him".

The "online posts were really upsetting", she stated.

Mental Health Effect

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

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

The teenager was arrested at home, but no evidence was found. He was transported to a law enforcement facility and later freed pending further inquiry.

Police said they would be in touch, the inquest learned, but had not reached out to the relatives by the time of his passing.

Withdrawal and Anxiety

His mother said Kai "became isolated" after the arrest and "repeatedly inquired me whether I had received anything from the police", because his condition meant sometimes "a minute could seem like much longer".

When she spoke to him about the supposed burglary, she said her child told her he had gone into the residence because the resident who resided there had said he could use the toilet anytime he wanted, but refuted taking anything.

Digital Harassment

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

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

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

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

He had been "obviously concealing his concerns", she said, noting that he could not stand to have anyone "have negative thoughts of him".

School Response

The inquest received testimony from educational staff at the local 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 discussion, the educator said she rang Kai's family telephone and provided a voicemail saying she had spoken to the student about the allegations.

The proceedings learned his parents said they never receive that message.

Formal Conclusion

Lead investigator told the inquest he would wait for reports regarding what enhancements had been made to handling individuals with ADHD, before determining whether he should make a avoidance of future deaths report.

Providing a descriptive finding, he said: "Around 8 November 2021, unsubstantiated accusations were made against the teenager, a young child.

"Likely falsehoods were afterwards exaggerated and amplified through the medium of online networks.

"During November 11th, he was questioned by the authorities and following his questioning he was freed while investigations continued."

The coroner determined: "There is no proof that the actions or omissions of any organization led to or contributed to his passing and although it was the result of a personal action it is impossible to discern his intent."