More Than 200 Bikers Show for Iowa Funeral of Blaine County Toddler

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Zavien Kinyon loved all kinds of cars and trucks, but especially motorcycles. So when bikers heard about his funeral service last month, they formed a plan to support him through his final ride.

Zavien had lived with his grandparents in Blaine County since 2020, but the family was originally from Iowa. That’s why the 2- year-old boy was laid to rest near Iowa City on June 30, nine days after he died in Oklahoma City.

When local Iowans heard about Zavien’s love for Harley-Davidson motorcycles, they spread the word on social media. According to the North Liberty Leader newspaper, more than 200 bikers showed up to the Gay and Ciha Funeral Home in Iowa City that day to escort Zavien from the funeral home to Ridgewood Cemetery in nearby North Liberty.

“201 bikers answered the call, leading the way, along with a police escort, to the historic cemetery on Scales Bend Road,” the article says. “After lining up three and four abreast, the bikers revved their motors in unison; a thunderous tribute to a little fan they’d never met.”

Zavien’s family says he was fatally injured on Friday, June 18, while under the care of a Watonga babysitter. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is now involved.

The Oklahoma Department of Human Services says it is also investigating and working with law enforcement on the case.

“Our hearts break for the Kinyon family in their terrible loss,” the DHS said in a statement. “OKDHS can confirm that we have an open investigation regarding unlicensed child care in this case, and are working with law enforcement. When a family has child care needs, we urge all Oklahoma families to seek licensed, quality child care in their area by visiting our Child Care Locator at http://childcare-find.okdhs.org/childcarefind/.”

Zavien’s grandmother Saroya Kinyon says the babysitters claimed Zavien injured himself by falling off a bunk bed. She said the medical evidence does not support this explanation, and believes Zavien was intentionally harmed.

Kinyon said Zavien had been visiting the Watonga babysitters for about a month before his fatal accident.

OKDHS declined to say whether or not the babysitters were previously known to the agency from prior complaints, saying it is unable to discuss child welfare matters due to confidentiality laws.

Blaine County bikers had previously organized a memorial ride for Zavien on Saturday, June 26, shortly after he died.