TRIGGER WARNING: This post contains information about suicide, which may be triggering to some.
The family of a 10-year-old boy who died by suicide wants to know why his school didn't help their son. Sammy Teusch died in his father's arms on May 5. He was reportedly bullied by classmates at Greenfield Intermediate School in Greenfield, Indiana, and his parents, Sam and Nicole Teusch, say they begged the school for help. In the end, however, it wasn't enough.
The parents opened up to WTHR and claimed they contacted the school at least 20 times regarding the bullying and threats against Sammy. An administrator denied their claim but declined an interview with the news outlet.
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Sammy's parents claim the bullying started in elementary school and continued in intermediate school.
Sam Teusch told WTHR it started last year in elementary school with teasing and progressively got worse. "They were making fun of him for his glasses in the beginning, then on to make fun of his teeth. It went on for a long time," he explained.
What started as words ultimately turned into physical attacks.
"He was beat up on the school bus, and the kids broke his glasses and everything, and I called the school, and I'm like, 'What are you doing about this? It keeps getting worse and worse, and worse. And it's not getting any better. In fact, it's getting worse,'" Sam Teusch said.
The parents allege they contacted the school multiple times.
Sam Teusch said he and his wife went to the administration 20 times about the bullying of their fourth grader, and the school was well aware of the situation. "They knew this was going on. They knew this was going on," he said.
WTHR contacted Greenfield-Central Schools Superintendent Harold Olin, who declined an interview but said neither the parents nor the child ever filed a bullying report. He added that there were discussions between the family, the school's administrators, and a counselor, but he said that information is confidential.
It all seemed to be too much for the young boy.
His parents told WTHR they believe his suicide was a result of the bullying that culminated in a bathroom incident at school the week before. Nicole Teusch said life will never be the same without Sammy.
"I always tell the kids because Sammy and his sister went to bed first because they were younger, and telling them they had to brush their teeth to get ready for bed and having him not be there to hug before bed," she said.
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Sammy's family started a GoFundMe account.
His brother, Tyler Mills, started the fundraiser on behalf of his mother. "I know my baby brother didn't deserve this. A kid with so much love and so much light gone too soon," he wrote on the page. "None of this makes sense and I don't think it ever will but what I do know is that he deserves a proper send off. Me and my family are asking for help to do just that."
Donors left kind words.
"I'm sorry no one had the guts to stand up for you, Sammy. We need to teach our kids better. RIP, little buddy," one person wrote.
Another donor agreed, commenting, "I was so sorry to hear about this. He looks adorable and I know the love and joy he gave you during his life outweighs the immense loss you must be feeling at this moment I was bullied because of my teeth at school and it's horrific it is still happening. Much love."
The fundraiser has surpassed its original $30,000 goal with more than $45,000 in donations thus far.
Note: If you or any of your loved ones are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can always reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling 988. They are available 24/7 by phone or online chat.
