Warning: This article contains details and information that some readers will find upsetting.
The parents of a boy who sadly took his own life have revealed tragic details of the alleged bullying he received from other children.
The parents of a 10-year-old boy from Indiana who reportedly died by suicide after enduring alleged bullying have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against his school, per WRTV.
Sammy Teusch was found dead by his family on May 5, 2024, after he was allegedly told by bullies at his school that they would “get him” when they returned after the weekend.
However, at approximately 11:30AM, Sammy was found hanging from his bunk bed by his 13-year-old brother, Xander Teusch, per his family.
After mourning the pain of losing their beloved son, his parents – Sam and Nicole Teusch – have now decided to take action against Greenfield-Central Community School Corporation and Greenfield-Central Community School Corporation Board of Trustees.
In their suit, they allege that there was “callous indifference” shown by the establishment and a number of its staff members, who they claim were “repeatedly informed about the bullying of Sammy Teusch (‘Sammy’) by students under the District’s supervision, and yet did nothing to address it.”
“As a direct and proximate result of the District’s and these individuals’ gross dereliction of arguably their most important duty, Sammy took his own life on May 5, 2024,” the suit states.
While he was in third grade, it was reported that the young boy experienced some intense bullying from his classmates.
His parent’s claim that bullies would call Sammy by the vile nickname ‘Dahmer’ — in reference to the notorious serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, who was responsible for the murders of at least 15 Black, Indigenous, Asian and Latino men and boys in Wisconsin.
When this was brought to the attention of a teacher, the suit alleges that “her only response was that, in her opinion, Sammy did somewhat resemble Jeffrey Dahmer.”
The 10-year-old then started acting out in the classroom as “a cry for help” but was instead reprimanded and told he was being disruptive.
The principal took some action at the time, and allowed Sammy to have his lunch in their office, but as per the legal document, “It is unknown whether [the principal] took any disciplinary actions towards the bullies, or informed their parents.”
When Sammy shifted to Greenfield Intermediate School as he entered fourth grade, his parents stated the bullying continued.
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“During breakfast period, Sammy was chased throughout the school, and would attempt to hide in a bathroom stall, often refusing to come out,” the suit recalled, before detailing how he was allegedly “physically assaulted” by another student.
There was another incident that saw Sammy get hit over the head with an iPad leaving him with a black eye as well as neck and shoulder injuries, per the documents.
According to the lawsuit, there were approximately 20 reports that were made by Sammy’s parents to the staff at the school, but they were just brushed off.
“Despite knowledge of the continued bullying and harassment, the District did not take appropriate corrective action. This callous disregard for Sammy’s safety exasperated him, at one point telling [his father], ‘They don’t listen to me daddy,'” the suit alleges.
The suit also claims the school participates in “victim shaming and victim blaming”, alleging administration maintained the bullying was a “Sammy problem”, he was the instigator and he was being bullied “because of his ‘mental problems'”.
When reached for comment after the filing by WRTV, who initially reported the news, the Greenfield-Central Community School Corporation reportedly referred the outlet to an earlier statement.
“The loss of a child to suicide is deflating to any community, and Greenfield was clearly in shock for a few weeks as we closed last school year. Members of the school corporation and the larger community grieved with the Teusch family, and we will continue to extend them support and grace in the aftermath of the event,” they said previously.
“Since that terrible day (May 5th), we have reviewed our records with great scrutiny and interviewed many people close to the situation. To this day, we have found nothing to validate the allegation you referenced,” they added. “We believe an objective review of the records would reach the same conclusion. In Greenfield-Central we do want to ensure that we are doing all we can do to support our students, regardless of the needs they have when they walk through our doors. We will always maintain that commitment to our students and families.”
The police have now launched an investigation into the matter but have confirmed that there was “bullying” before the child’s “traumatic death”.
Our thoughts are with Sammy’s loved ones during this difficult time.
