Can Kelyan’s story save lives? Last week the 14-year-old was stabbed to death on a London bus. His mother hopes that speaking out will help prevent more deaths.
Death of boy who carried knife at nine
Can Kelyan's story save lives? Last week the 14-year-old was stabbed to death on a London bus. His mother hopes that speaking out will help prevent more deaths.
"It feels like every day there is a stabbing," said the tearful mother. "When I came to this city, I remember meeting a mother who had lost her child. That was 30 years ago. And now that woman is me."
Marie Bokassa's son Kelyan died after being stabbed on a bus in LondonThe capital city of the United Kingdom. It has a total population of 14 million. last Tuesday. She says the city feels like a war zone.
Marie describes Kelyan as a bubbly, friendly boy. But by the age of six, he was "labelled as gang-affiliatedLinked.". One day he was caught with a knife at primary school.
Kelyan was taken into careWhen a court decides that a child can no longer be cared for by their family, and they must be cared for by others, such as foster parents. . But his mother says that for a year he lived on the streets and did not go to school.
He was due to appear in courtA place where matters of the law are decided by judges or juries. later this year, accusedClaim that someone has done something wrong. of bringing a machete into school.
Gangsters target vulnerableat risk of being harmed boys like Kelyan to carry drugs for them. Last year 10 London teenagers were fatally stabbed and another was shot dead.
But there is some hope: the number of deaths was down from 21 in 2023. And charities are working hard to help children escape from gangs.
Can Kelyan's story save lives?
Yes: It is rare for parents to speak out as Marie has done. By talking about Kelyan's life she has helped people to recognise the signs that a child might be being targeted by a gang.
No: Only taking down the gangs will stop the murders. The gangsters who groomTo prepare someone for a specific activity. It often has a sinister connotation, being linked to criminals who befriend young people in order to encourage them to take part in criminal activity or to make them into victims of criminal activity. teenagers do not care what happens to them - if one is arrested or killed, they simply find another to take his place.
London - The capital city of the United Kingdom. It has a total population of 14 million.
Affiliated - Linked.
Taken into care - When a court decides that a child can no longer be cared for by their family, and they must be cared for by others, such as foster parents.
Court - A place where matters of the law are decided by judges or juries.
Accused - Claim that someone has done something wrong.
vulnerable - at risk of being harmed
Groom - To prepare someone for a specific activity. It often has a sinister connotation, being linked to criminals who befriend young people in order to encourage them to take part in criminal activity or to make them into victims of criminal activity.
Death of boy who carried knife at nine

Glossary
London - The capital city of the United Kingdom. It has a total population of 14 million.
Affiliated - Linked.
Taken into care - When a court decides that a child can no longer be cared for by their family, and they must be cared for by others, such as foster parents.
Court - A place where matters of the law are decided by judges or juries.
Accused - Claim that someone has done something wrong.
vulnerable - at risk of being harmed
Groom - To prepare someone for a specific activity. It often has a sinister connotation, being linked to criminals who befriend young people in order to encourage them to take part in criminal activity or to make them into victims of criminal activity.