I think as long as there would have been no rigor mortis he would have been able to lift up the arms and maneuver the shoulders so they would fit. A poster tried it as a game with an eight year old, I believe, to see if she could wiggle herself through a cut out hole, and she was surprised that she could. She described the child as a small eight year old. JmoI measured a 6 year old, head, shrugged slumped shoulders and hips, all would (barely) fit through 8". That said this child is 2 years older than those lil angels, but while standing up straight and proper the shoulders would not fit. IDK, maybe I'm just looking for some comfort about breaking bones.....