Two adults are under police investigation after an 11-year-old boy died while participating in a dangerous ‘TikTok challenge.’
Tommy-Lee Gracie Billington lost consciousness after allegedly inhaling toxic substances during a sleepover at a friend’s house on March 2. He later died in the hospital. His death is believed to be linked to a social media trend known as ‘chroming,’ which involves inhaling harmful chemicals such as paint, solvents, aerosols, cleaning products, or petrol.
These substances create a short-term ‘high’ similar to alcohol consumption, but they can also cause side effects like light-headedness, relaxation, drowsiness, giddiness, excitement, euphoria, and mild hallucinations. The term ‘chroming’ first appeared on Urban Dictionary in 2006 but has recently gained popularity among younger generations on platforms like TikTok, where users posted videos of themselves inhaling toxic fumes. TikTok has since blocked searches for trends like chroming.
Lancashire Police confirmed that a 25-year-old man from Lancaster has been arrested on suspicion of child cruelty, neglect, possession with intent to supply a drug, and money laundering. He has been released on bail while investigations continue. Additionally, a 35-year-old woman was interviewed voluntarily in connection with the investigation concerning an allegation of possession with intent to supply.
Following Tommy-Lee’s death, his heartbroken grandmother, Tina Burns, expressed her devastation. She said, “He had a heart of gold just like his dad. Our family is utterly devastated. He died instantly after a sleepover at a friend’s house. The boys had tried the TikTok craze ‘chroming.’ Tommy-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.”