A three-year-old girl found “wedged inside a wooden toy oven” at her babysitter’s home died from probable positional asphyxia.
Briella Holmes became trapped in the kitchen playset while trying to retrieve toys that had fallen inside, according to Boynton Beach Police.
She was discovered unresponsive and not breathing before being rushed to the hospital in a critical condition.
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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.
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.
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, US.
A Palm Beach County Medical Examiner’s report obtained by PEOPLE said Briella had been “discovered wedged in a wooden play oven”.
The report said the babysitter had left to visit a shop.
It determined that Briella died from probable positional asphyxia and ruled her death an accident.
Emergency services were called shortly after 11am on 23 July, and Briella died on 27 July.
Police later released a photograph of the wooden kitchen set involved.
The playset had no markings identifying its brand, manufacturer or model.
Investigators said it had been bought second-hand through Facebook Marketplace.
Similar sets resembling it have been advertised online under the name “Country Living Kitchen”.
Police have not said precisely where in the playset Briella became trapped or which part prevented her from freeing herself.
When approached by PEOPLE on Thursday (20 August), police said 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 established 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.”
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(Jam Press/Boynton Beach Police Department)
