Delays in Riley's diagnosis for autism did not contribute to his death, coroner rules

12-YEAR-OLD DID NOT MEAN TO TAKE HIS OWN LIFE, INQUEST TOLD

- By RUCSANDRA MOLDOVEANU

DELAYS in a 12-year-old boy's autism diagnosis did not contribute to his death, a coroner has concluded.

Riley Townsend, from Sutton-in-Ashfield, died on September 1, 2024, after he was found hanging in his bedroom by his father on August 31.

The teenager was diagnosed with ADHD in November 2021, with his autism spectrum disorder (ASD) assessment at the time being “inconclusive”.

However, an inquest held at Nottingham Coroner’s Court yesterday heard that Riley was set to be diagnosed with autism in October 2024, a month after his death. This was due to multiple delays, some significant, over the years.

However, Coroner Amanda Bewley concluded that these delays did not contribute to the boy's death.

Delivering her findings and conclusions, the coroner said: “Although there was a delay in Riley having an assessment for ASD, I've not made a finding that this has more than minimally contributed to his death. Before his death, it appeared to me, based on evidence, that he was at no more distress than on other occasions in the last six months of his life.”

The inquest was told that Riley seemed “calm” when he asked his mum for dinner about 20 minutes before he was found unresponsive.