After a 4-year-old boy was reported missing by his family, a search was launched for the child. It came to a heartbreaking end when his lifeless body was discovered inside a toy chest. Authorities have since confirmed how he met his untimely demise — and it should serve as a warning.
When 4-year-old Kache Wallis was tucked into bed on a Saturday night in his white Ninja Turtles pajamas, no one expected that it would be the last time the boy would be seen alive. In fact, when it was first discovered that Kache was missing from his bed, authorities and family alike believed that the boy may be with his non-custodial mother Erika Carrell, according to an initial report by KUTV.
Sadly, however, that wasn’t the case. Instead, shockwaves were about to be sent through Hurrican, Utah as Kache horrifically went from mysteriously missing to being found dead inside a toy chest.
The heartbreaking incident began to unfold when Kache’s grandmother woke and made the terrifying discovery that the 4-year-old child had gone missing from his bed sometime in the night. When she couldn’t locate him in or around the house, she grew increasingly concerned for her grandson’s safety and alerted the authorities.
Police and community members promptly launched a search for the missing child, starting with the premises where he was last seen. Responding officers arrived and searched the home, but Kache was still not located. In fact, it was as if the child had mysteriously vanished without a trace, so a missing alert was issued by the Hurricane, Utah police in hopes that someone would come forward with information.
Determined to find the missing child, the community rallied alongside law enforcement, searching outside the home. But, hours passed with no sign of Kache or clue to his whereabouts. As initial efforts yielded no trace of Kache, fears for his well-being mounted. With the investigation thus far turning up no evidence, it was decided that a comprehensive search of the home should be repeated.
It was during the subsequent search of the home that the boy’s body was finally located. Much to the dismay of the entire community, Kache Wallis was found dead, confined inside a small toy chest in his own bedroom. Family members were interviewed as the Utah Medical Examiner’s Office also launched an investigation into the child’s cause of death.
The medical examiner eventually determined that Kache was killed by “positional asphyxiation,” KUTV reported in a follow-up story. Simply put, the young boy’s death was an accident, which occurred after he seemingly climbed into the toy chest and inadvertently became trapped inside. Unable to get out and without enough air to sustain his life, he eventually succumbed to asphyxiation.
“Our sincerest condolences are sent to Kache and his family,” the City of Hurricane Police Department said in a statement, thanking police, fire and search and rescue teams as well as the community for their help.
The fact that Kache Wallis died in a preventable accident adds another layer of sorrow and grief to this already heartbreaking story. However, his untimely death can serve a powerful purpose. Kache’s story can help to warn others of unforeseen dangers that may be lurking in their own home. Hopefully, as his story is told, it saves lives.
This tragedy is a reminder that it is essential that parents, guardians, and caregivers understand the critical importance of child safety measures. The lives of our children can be safeguarded when we simply exercise caution, take necessary precautions, and remain vigilant. We can only hope that sharing this stark reminder of the fragility of life will protect others from such a tragedy.
