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Man arrested after schoolboy, 11, dies after allegedly taking part in 'chroming' challenge

Home> News> Crime

Updated 11:40 11 Jun 2024 GMT+1Published 11:30 11 Jun 2024 GMT+1

Man arrested after schoolboy, 11, dies after allegedly taking part in 'chroming' challenge

Tommie-Lee Gracie Billington suffered a suspected cardiac arrest on Saturday

Rhianna Benson

Rhianna Benson

A man has been arrested after an 11-year-old schoolboy died while allegedly taking part in 'chroming' challenge, police have said.

Tommie-Lee Gracie Billington suffered a suspected cardiac arrest back in March after reportedly taking part in the online challenge known as 'chroming'.

'Chroming' sees people sniffing toxic chemicals - including paint, aerosols and cleaning products - in order to achieve a short-term 'high'.

Tommie-Lee's grandmother Tina Burns said at the time of his death that her grandson had allegedly attempted the dangerous stunt while staying at a friend's house, and was later found unresponsive by paramedics at the property.

North West Ambulance Service called local police to the scene shortly after 12.00pm on Saturday, with the 11-year-old quickly being rushed to hospital before being pronounced dead.

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"The boys had tried the TikTok craze 'chroming'," Tina said. "Tommie-Lee went into cardiac arrest immediately and died right there and then.

"The hospital did everything to try and bring him back but nothing worked. He was gone."

TikTok has denied any affiliation with the trend.

And this week, Lancashire Police confirmed they'd questioned the man for alleged child cruelty and neglect, the BBC reports.

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Tommie-Lee died earlier this year after suffering a suspected cardiac arrest. (Facebook/Graham Billington/Tina Burns)
Tommie-Lee died earlier this year after suffering a suspected cardiac arrest. (Facebook/Graham Billington/Tina Burns)

The 25-year-old had also been arrested for suspicion of possession with intent to supply a drug and money laundering.

He has since been released on bail while their enquiries are ongoing, it has been reported.

A 35-year-old woman was also interviewed voluntarily as part of authorities' initial investigations, after she was deemed suspicious of having possessed with intent to supply dangerous substances.

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She has also been released under investigation.

Tina had previously urged social media bosses to 'do more' in order to protect young users from potentially-fatal trends.

Tommie was found unresponsive at the property (Facebook/Graham Billington/Tina Burns)
Tommie was found unresponsive at the property (Facebook/Graham Billington/Tina Burns)

"Both our families are utterly devastated but we all want the same thing. We don't want any other children to follow TikTok or be on social media," she said.

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His mother Sherri also emphasised the risk that these toxic chemicals can have if they fall into the wrong hands, warning parents to 'hide all deodorants from their children' so they can't take part in the so-called challenge.

"This cost my son his life from trying something other kids are doing. They are using this and breathing them in to try get a buzz." she wrote on Facebook.

A GoFundMe page has been set up in Tommie-Lee's honour, with the funds accumulated being used to support his family.

Tyla has previously contacted TikTok for comment.

Featured Image Credit: Facebook/Graham Billington/Tina Burns

Topics: TikTok, Social Media, News, UK News, Health, Crime

Rhianna Benson
Rhianna Benson

Rhianna is an Entertainment Journalist at LADbible Group, working across LADbible, UNILAD and Tyla. She has a Masters in News Journalism from the University of Salford and a Masters in Ancient History from the University of Edinburgh. She previously worked as a Celebrity Reporter for OK! and New Magazines, and as a TV Writer for Reach PLC.

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@rhiannaBjourno

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