Boy, 11, dies in his bedroom after being sent upstairs for arguing at dinner table

An 11-year-old boy died in his bedroom just five minutes after being sent upstairs for arguing with his parents at the dinner table.

Leon Carlisle, a popular student who 'loved life', was found unconscious in his room in west Belfast, Northern Ireland, yesterday evening.

Although the circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear, his relatives have revealed he passed away in a tragic accident at his home, BelfastLive reports.

Leon, a pupil at St Mary’s Christian Brother Grammar School , had argued with his parents, Lisa Carlisle and John McNaughton, before his death. After the minor 'tantrum', which took place at the dinner table, the youngster had been told to go to his bedroom for being bold.

 

But only five minutes later, he was tragically found dead. Leon’s heartbroken dad said: “It feels like I’ve woken up to a nightmare. “Leon was sent to his room for arguing with his parents over dinner like any other child does.

“This was an 11-year-old child having a tantrum over his dinner trying to win an argument with his parents and not understanding the consequences of his actions.

"He wasn’t depressed, he loved life and he wasn’t being bullied, he had loads of friends and loved getting out to play.

"What he did was an accident and happened in the space of five minutes." Leon’s grieving mum, Lisa, added: “He loved life so much. His death was a terrible accident which we can’t go back from.”

Police are reportedly not treating the youngster's 'sudden death' as suspicious.

The community has rallied around Leon’s family, who live in the New Barnsley area, after the shocking news became public on social media.

The youngster's aunt and Godmother, Leeanne McNaughton, said: “Doing something silly when huffing in his bedroom cost him his life. "We are the closest family and we are broken.”

The Year 8 pupil at St Mary’s was remembered as a well-loved student.

A spokesman for the Glen Road school said: “It is with great sadness that the St Mary’s CBGS community has learnt of the sudden death of Leon Carlisle following a tragic accident at his home yesterday evening. “Leon was a popular student and his loss will be sorely felt throughout the whole school and wider community.

“The thoughts and prayers of the St Mary’s community are with his family at this sad time.

“Ar dheis-lámh Dé go raibh a anam Gaelach. May his Irish soul be on God’s right hand."

Friends of Leon’s dad John, at Iveagh Utd FC, paid tribute to the family.

A spokesman posted on Facebook and said: “It is with great sadness that Iveagh Utd FC wish to offer our condolences to the McNaughton/Carlisle families on the passing of young Leon Carlisle last night.