Andrew Michael Leach, a sixth grade Southaven Middle School student, committed suicide after enduring bullying.
Andrew's mother, Cheryl Hudson, told WREG that on March 6, the 12-year-old left a note for his family then hanged himself. His 16-year-old brother found the body. The teen says he is also being bullied.
Hudson claims bullying runs rampant at Southaven Middle School.
“A few years ago there was a young girl who hung herself from a water tower due to bullying,” she said. “There have been several attempts since then with other kids.”
Hudson said she spoke to the sixth grade principal about the bullying. She said she didn’t know how to handle it. Andrew's father spoke to a teacher, also, Hudson added.
"But from what we are hearing, there was a group of kids that would go around calling him fat, ugly and worthless,” Hudson said.
RElated: JPS elementary student suffers head injury
A GoFundMe account has been set up to help the family.
Contact Harold Gater at 601-961-7368 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter.
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dwbassuk on March 13rd, 2018 at 22:23 UTC »
I’m surprised they reported this. News usually doesn’t report suicides and this happens more than you might think. A middle school student stole his parents gun in my neighborhood and killed himself in the desert because he was being bullied and not one news article came about it. We only found out cause it happened in our neighborhood and there was a helicopter looking for him for 2 days. But nothing on the news. A student hung himself on a tree at my University also and the news didn’t report it.
Ticklemeuntilisayno on March 13rd, 2018 at 18:52 UTC »
There were times when I wanted to take my life because of bullying in school, It frightens me so much if my kids will go through the same
Ihavenolifes on March 13rd, 2018 at 18:16 UTC »
Bully survivor here. Talk with your kids daily. Don't ask them how their day was. You're gonna get "fine" "good" etc.
Ask your children what was the best/worst part of their day. Do this all the time so you have a good dialogue set up already. Ask what "lunch is like, what about recess, how is the bus ride?"
Ask your children what are they good at. What do they like about themselves.
Kids who are chronically bullied will have the hardest time answering these questions, especially the last two. Warning signs are different with every kid but the point is to get to know yours. When their group of friends change suddenly, when they FAKE BEING SICK EVERY TUESDAY and when they become overly sensitive or agressive are all good signs.
Teach your kids what bullying is and how to prevent it. Teach them to make friends with the bullied kid, or report to an adult when bullied.
Kids suck, and in groups it only gets worse. They laugh at things that are different or they don't understand, and a pecking order is established usually at the peril of one or two children.
Meet other parents in the same school and establish a good network. Sometimes it's gonna be your kid being the bully.
As much as you can, get involved with your child's activities. And most importantly, set a good example. Be kind in your own life. Be slow to anger, be charitable to the less fortunate, and de-escalate conflict. Kids are always watching and learning.
edit The "bully survivor" is getting a lot of attention. And I guess I know why. But if you've gotten through the constant suicidal thoughts associated with chronic bullying and moved to better things... you're a survivor.Survivors are people who have escaped death, but it's also someone who has coped well with intense stressors and difficulties. I do not see why bullied kids are not survivors.
If you're gut instinct is to mock the word usage, I'd say you have missed the point entirely.