The Palm Beach County medical examiner determined Briella Holmes died from probable positional asphyxia after the July incident in Boynton Beach.
BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. — A 3-year-old girl who died after becoming trapped in a wooden play kitchen at a babysitter’s home died from probable positional asphyxia, according to findings from the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner’s Office. Her death was classified as an accident.
The finding provides new information about the July 23 incident that led to the death of Briella Holmes. Boynton Beach police said Briella was found unresponsive and not breathing after becoming stuck in the playset. First responders took her to a hospital in critical condition, and she died four days later, on July 27. Police have said their investigation into the circumstances remains open.
Officers were called shortly after 11 a.m. July 23 to a home in the Meadows of Boynton Beach community for a report of an unresponsive child, according to police accounts. Officers began life-saving measures before Boynton Beach Fire Rescue arrived and transported the girl to a hospital. Authorities initially said the case was under active investigation and did not announce any criminal charges.
Police said Briella and a sibling had been staying at a babysitter’s home when the babysitter left the residence. The children were placed in the care of the babysitter’s spouse, who remained upstairs while they played downstairs, according to the department’s preliminary account. Police said the spouse periodically checked on the children and brought them snacks.
During one of those checks, the spouse found Briella trapped in the kitchen playset, police said. The spouse freed her and began life-saving measures while emergency crews were on the way. Investigators said Briella’s sibling reported that toys had fallen into the play kitchen and that Briella became trapped while trying to retrieve them. Authorities have not publicly established how long she was trapped before she was found.
The medical examiner determined the cause of death was probable positional asphyxia and classified the manner of death as accidental. Positional asphyxia can occur when the position of a person’s body interferes with normal breathing. Publicly reported findings from the medical examiner did not establish every detail of how Briella became wedged in the playset.
Investigators later released a photograph of the wooden kitchen as they sought more information about the product. Police said the playset had no markings identifying a manufacturer, brand or model. It had been purchased secondhand through Facebook Marketplace, according to the department. Police said similar products could be found online under the name “Country Living Kitchen,” but investigators did not confirm that the playset involved in Briella’s death was made by the same manufacturer.
The released photograph showed a wooden play kitchen with several openings and an area where a toy sink would normally be located. Authorities have not publicly said which opening trapped Briella or whether the condition of the secondhand playset contributed to her becoming stuck. The department also has not released a detailed timeline establishing when she became trapped and when the supervising adult last checked on the children before finding her.
Briella’s family publicly identified her after her death. Relatives described her in an online fundraiser as a loving child who brought joy to people around her. Authorities have not publicly identified the babysitter or the babysitter’s spouse, and no criminal charges have been publicly announced in connection with the death.
The medical examiner’s ruling establishes the medical cause and manner of Briella’s death, but it does not end the police inquiry into the events surrounding the incident. Boynton Beach police have said the investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not announced whether any additional official action will follow.
Author note: Last updated August 22, 2026.