Coroner criticises disability service after boy found dead in pond

Friday 19 December 2025 · 4 outlets · 3 reports · updated Fri 19 Dec 2025, 8:48am

A coroner has criticised a disability service for failing to address safety concerns raised by a mother. Her five-year-old autistic, non-verbal son, Khyzah DeLaCroix, was found dead in a pond near his Hangaroa home in August last year.

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1. RNZFri 19 Dec 2025, 5:00am

   Hangaroa mother's pleas for help went unanswered before 5-year-old son found dead in pond (opens in new tab)

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2. 1News via RNZFri 19 Dec 2025, 8:29am

   Mother's pleas went unanswered before 5-year-old son went missing (opens in new tab)

3. Otago Daily TimesFri 19 Dec 2025, 8:48am

   Mum's pleas unanswered before boy found in pond (opens in new tab)