Family of 10-Year-Old Boy Who Took His Own Life After Bullying Sues School District for Wrongful Death
Sammy Teusch was a bright and loving 10-year-old boy who loved soccer, fishing, and robots. Sadly, he is now also the young boy who tragically took his own life after suffering years of relentless bullying.
His heart-wrenching story sheds light on the devastating impact of bullying on children and emphasizes the urgent need for change as bullying continues to become increasingly present in and outside of school.
The Unimaginable Suffering of Sammy Teusch
Source: Daily Mail UKSammy and his family were originally from Florida, where Sammy was reportedly a happy, healthy kid. He had plenty of friends and got along well with the rest of his classmates. All of this changed, however, when the Teusch family moved to Greenfield, Indiana in 2022. The new kid in town and who the other students apparently decided didn’t fit in there, he became a target of bullying at Weston Elementary and then Greenfield Intermediate School.Sammy apparently asked the teachers for help many times, and was either ignored, told he was the problem and not the others, and even made fun of by some teachers themselves. Sammy’s parents also say that they reached out to the school at least 20 times about the issue. They say that they asked for something to be done and for the teachers and the school to protect their child. Their please were met either with silence or an insinuation that it was Sammy’s ‘mental health’ or behavior that was causing the bullying.Physical and Verbal Abuse
Source: Daily Mail UKThe other kid’s in Sammy’s school and class tormented the boy. They physically beat him up, including hitting him with an iPad so hard he got a black eye and putting him in such a strong choke hold that he saw stars. They also chased him through the halls and trapped him in the bathroom, threatening violence, as well as reportedly beat him up on the bus. Not only that, but they would torment him verbally, making fun if his appearance and saying that he looked like Jeffrey Dahmer. Even one of his teachers seemingly agreed with this description of the boy. One boy would apparently even follow him around the school telling him that he should kill himself.Finally, on Saturday, May 4, one of his bullies called Sammy on the phone. This boy threatened him with tales of the violence that awaited him at school the following Monday. The bully would never follow through with his threats, however, because that Sunday evening, Sammy took his own life. He was tragically discovered by his 13-year-old brother.
Source: Daily Mail UK
Sammy’s parents refuse to let those responsible for Sammy’s death go without consequences. They launched a 14-page lawsuit against both the school and school board for negligence of their son’s situation and complaints. The lawsuit leaves out none of the shocking details of physical and emotional abuse Sammy suffered, including a teacher’s participation in the derision, and the school’s alleged failure to address the bullying despite numerous pleas for intervention.‘This suit is about more than holding the Greenfield School Corporation accountable’ says the family’s lawyer. ‘It’s about making sure no child ever experiences what Sammy experienced — and no family again experiences the heartbreak the Teusch family can now never escape.’Community Support and Continuing Bullying
Q
Bullying is not a new problem – it has been going on for decades. Despite anti-bullying campaigns run in schools, the problem only seems to be getting worse. Approximately one quarter of students experience regular bullying in the United States and approximately two dozen children take their lives annually due to classroom bullying. The prevalence of bullying, combined with the rise of cyberbullying via social media and peer pressure, contributes to a growing mental health crisis among youth.Child Suicide and How to Prevent Your Child from Becoming a Bully
Source: ShutterstockChild suicide is a devastating consequence of prolonged bullying, emphasizing the critical need for preventive measures to address both bullying and the mental well-being of children. Parents and educators play a crucial role in fostering empathy, communication, and resilience in children to prevent them from becoming bullies and support those who are victims of bullying. As a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, teacher, or anyone else who has a significant influence on a child, it is our responsibility to educate our children about bullying. We must teach them empathy, to respect each other’s differences, to be kind, and also to stand up for someone else if we see someone being bullied. The best way to prevent bullying is to prevent kids from becoming bullies in the first place. This starts at home. Kids will mimic how they see influential adults in their lives talk to and about others. Teach love and kindness at home and they will mimic that at school.How to Help Your Child Who is Being Bullied
Source: ShutterstockFor parents and caregivers, it is essential to recognize the signs of bullying. Your child may or may not come right out and tell you they are being bullied, so it is important for you to stay vigilant. Pay attention to changes in your child’s behavior. Are they more withdrawn? Do they talk about their friends at school? Have they stopped asking to invite kids over, suddenly lost interest in formerly loved activities, or never seem to mention being invited to typical kid events like birthday parties? Finally, be sure that you are monitoring your child’s use of social media. Much of today’s bullying happens online, be it on snap chat, Instagram, TikTok, or online video games. Establishing open communication, seeking professional assistance, and advocating for anti-bullying measures within schools and communities are vital steps in ensuring the safety and well-being of children who are being bullied.Let’s End Bullying Now
Sammy’s story is a horrific reminder that, not only is bullying increasingly prevalent in school and online, but it is incredibly dangerous. It is imperative to acknowledge the severity of bullying and take collective action to create a safe and inclusive environment for all children. Together, we can work towards preventing similar heartbreaking tragedies and safeguarding the well-being of our youth.
