A three-year-old girl has died after becoming trapped inside a wooden toy oven at a babysitter's home in Florida, according to police.
Briella Holmes was found unconscious and not breathing before being rushed to hospital in a critical condition, Boynton Beach Police said. The child passed away in hospital four days later.
The Palm Beach County Medical Examiner's report, obtained by PEOPLE, concluded that Briella died from probable positional asphyxia – a condition where a person's body position prevents them from breathing properly – and ruled her death an accident.
What happened at the babysitter's home
The incident took place at a property within the Meadows of Boynton Beach community in Florida, US. Briella had been at the childminder's house alongside her sibling when the tragedy unfolded, as reported by Need To Know.
Police stated that the childminder left the property and entrusted the children to the care of their spouse. The spouse remained upstairs while the youngsters played downstairs. They checked on the children periodically and provided them with snacks.
During one of these checks, they discovered Briella trapped inside the wooden playset. Police said the spouse freed her and "immediately began attempting life-saving measures until first responders arrived." Officers continued their attempts to save her before Boynton Beach Fire Rescue transported her to hospital.
Investigation into the play oven
Briella's sibling told investigators that toys had fallen inside the play kitchen and she became stuck while trying to retrieve them. Emergency services were called shortly after 11am on 23 July, and Briella passed away on 27 July.
Officers subsequently released a photograph of the wooden kitchen set involved in the tragedy. The playset carried no markings identifying its brand, manufacturer or model. Investigators established that it had been purchased second-hand through Facebook Marketplace. Similar sets bearing a resemblance to it have been advertised online under the name "Country Living Kitchen".
Authorities have yet to confirm precisely where in the playset Briella became trapped, or which part prevented her from freeing herself.
Family tribute and ongoing investigation
A GoFundMe page 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."
When approached by PEOPLE on Thursday (20 August), police confirmed there were no further developments but stated the investigation remained ongoing. The department had previously stated: "This investigation remains active and ongoing. The Boynton Beach Police Department will not be making any additional statements at this time."
