A father is issuing a passionate plea for change following the death of his 10-year-old son, who tragically died by suicide.
Samuel Teusch, known as Sammy, a fourth-grade student at Greenfield-Central Intermediate School in Indiana, passed away on Sunday, May 5.
His devastated parents, Samuel and Nichole Teusch, revealed that Sammy had been a victim of both emotional and physical bullying at his school prior to his death.
Speaking to 13News, Sammy's father disclosed the torment his son endured, stating: "Kids were making fun of him for his glasses and in the beginning, they went on to make fun of his teeth."
The situation escalated to physical violence, with Sammy being attacked on the school bus, resulting in his glasses being broken.
"We now have a pair of the young boy's 'broken glasses' which now lie on a 'memorial shrine' his siblings made," the grieving father shared with FOX 59.
Struggling to comprehend the loss, Sammy's father questioned: "'How could God take my kid from here?' Of course, that was going through my head. God didn’t take my kid; hate did."
In addition to mourning his son's passing, Sammy's father is determined to ensure his memory sparks change.
"There needs to be action. There needs to be accountability," he emphasized. "There needs to be something that shows these defenseless children that even if you feel like there isn’t someone at home to talk to or take care of, there are thousands of people out there that want to hear your voice."
Sammy's father wants his son's legacy to empower other children facing similar struggles.
"I want his image to be a source of empowerment for children who feel like they can’t come to someone and speak," he said.
The tragedy has also prompted a response from Sammy's school. A spokesperson for Greenfield-Central Community Schools expressed condolences, acknowledging the profound impact of Sammy's passing on the school and wider community.
"While the investigation continues, we are primarily focusing our resources on meeting the immediate needs of the students we serve in Greenfield-Central Schools," the spokesperson stated.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Charles McMichael from the Greenfield Police Department assured ongoing investigation into Sammy's passing, urging parents to engage in open dialogue with their children about their struggles and offering resources for support.
Sammy's funeral is scheduled for May 15, with his obituary urging people to plant a tree or donate to charity in his memory.
Additionally, a GoFundMe page has been set up to support Sammy's family during this difficult time.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.
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