Briella Holmes, a three-year-old girl, died from probable positional asphyxia after being found "wedged inside a wooden toy oven" at her babysitter's home in Boynton Beach, Florida.
Incident Details
According to Boynton Beach Police, Briella became trapped in a kitchen playset while trying to retrieve toys that had fallen inside. She was discovered unresponsive and not breathing before being rushed to the hospital in critical condition. The youngster died four days later.
Positional asphyxia occurs when the position of a person's body interferes with their ability to breathe. Briella had been at the babysitter's home with her sibling when the incident happened, as reported by Need To Know.
Babysitter's Actions
Police said the babysitter left the property and placed the children in the care of their spouse. The spouse remained upstairs while the youngsters played downstairs. They periodically checked on the children and gave them snacks. During one check, they discovered Briella trapped in the wooden playset.
The spouse freed her and "immediately began attempting life-saving measures until first responders arrived," Boynton Beach Police Department said. Officers continued attempting to save her before Boynton Beach Fire Rescue took her to the hospital.
Investigation Findings
Briella's sibling told investigators that toys had fallen inside the play kitchen and she became stuck while attempting to retrieve them. The tragedy unfolded at a home in the Meadows of Boynton Beach community in Florida.
A report from the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner's Office, obtained by PEOPLE, revealed that Briella was "discovered wedged in a wooden play oven." The report stated that the babysitter had left to go to a shop. It concluded that Briella's death was likely due to positional asphyxia and deemed it an accident.
Ongoing Investigation
Emergency services were alerted just after 11am on July 23, and Briella passed away on July 27. Police later shared a photo of the wooden kitchen set involved. The playset bore no markings indicating its brand, manufacturer or model. Investigators reported it had been purchased second-hand via Facebook Marketplace. Similar sets resembling it have been advertised online under the name "Country Living Kitchen."
Police have not specified exactly where within the playset Briella became stuck or which part hindered her escape. When contacted by PEOPLE on Thursday, police stated there were no further updates but confirmed the investigation was ongoing. The department previously said: "This investigation remains active and ongoing. The Boynton Beach Police Department will not be making any additional statements at this time."
A GoFundMe set up following Briella's death described her as a "bright light in the lives of so many." Her family said: "She had a kind heart, a beautiful spirit, and a smile that could light up any room. She touched countless lives with her love, laughter, and compassion, and the impact she made will never be forgotten. She will forever be loved, forever missed, and forever in our hearts."
