KEY POINTS
- Kache Wallis, 4, was found dead inside a small toy chest in his bedroom
- Authorities determined that he had died from accidental asphyxiation
- A GoFundMe page was launched to help with the boy's funeral expenses
A 4-year-old boy from Hurricane, Utah, who was reported missing over a week ago, was found dead inside a toy box by authorities.
Kache Wallis had been found dead inside a small toy chest in his bedroom, the City of Hurricane Police Department (CHPD) said in a statement released last Wednesday.
Officers responded to a report of the child going missing on July 25 after being contacted by Wallis' grandmother, according to the police statement. The unnamed grandmother claimed Wallis had been put to bed the night before but was no longer there in the morning and could not be found in or around the house.
Police were finally called when a search conducted by the boy's family and friends was unable to locate the child. Officers also conducted a search of the home, but they were unable to find Wallis as well.
A search outside the Wallis' home was conducted with the help of the community and various other agencies and resources, according to the statement. Officers finally decided to conduct a second search of Wallis' home, where they found the child inside a small toy chest in his bedroom.
The Utah Medical Examiner's Office ruled Wallis had an accidental death due to positional asphyxiation after conducting interviews with the family and conducting an additional investigation into the incident, police said in the statement.
"Our sincerest condolences are sent to Kache and his family," the CHPD said.
The department also thanked the Washington County Sheriff's Office, the Hurricane Valley Fire Department, St. George Communications Center, St. George Police Department, Washington City Police Department and volunteers for helping in the search for Wallis.
A GoFundMe page was launched following Wallis' death, asking for donations to cover the child's funeral costs. It has raised $11,981 as of press time.
Wallis was described in the page as "[having] a smile that was infectious and loved everyone, everywhere he went."
"He was the glue that held it all together for us, we just don't know what we are going to do without him," the description continued.
Representation. Police found 4-year-old Kache Wallis dead inside of a toy chest in his bedroom. Photo: Pixabay
