Greenfield police close investigation into 10-year-old’s suicide

GREENFIELD, Ind. — Greenfield police officials confirmed the cause of death of a 10-year-old boy that occurred earlier this month and said no charges will be filed in the case.

Ten-year-old Sammy Teusch was found dead on May 5. On Friday, the Hancock County Coroner’s Office said Teusch committed suicide by asphyxiation via strangulation, according to a Greenfield police news release.

The department said the investigation into Teusch’s death was complete and that no charges would be filed with the Hancock County District Attorney’s Office.

According to previous reports, Teusch’s family told FOX59/CBS4 that Teusch was known for his kindness and energetic personality. Teusch’s parents said he was physically and emotionally bullied at school.

Greenfield Police Department Chief Brian Hartman said it is a “sad and devastating time” for the Greenfield community. Hartman said his condolences and prayers are with the child’s family and friends, as well as the community and first responders on the scene.

An investigation into the child’s death found that bullying had occurred in Teusch’s life, both inside and outside of school. Hartman said school records showed the reported bullying incidents were “addressed.” Hartman also said it was determined that bullying occurred outside of school and “sometimes in a place where the child should have felt most safe.”

“There has been a lot of finger-pointing and blame over the past few weeks,” Hartman said in the statement. “Whenever there is a tragic event, we as a society want to place the blame on someone or something to ease the pain we are experiencing and gain understanding. There is so much blame going on that we probably all carry some of it.

“Bullying is a problem in our society, whether you’re a child or an adult,” Hartman continued. “Nobody is allowed to be different or have a different opinion anymore without someone, somewhere, being disrespectful and saying hurtful things… We have kids who feel like their lives are so bad that they’re not worth living. We need to come together and give these kids a life worth living.”

Hartman said if individuals or their children believe they are being bullied at a Greenfield Community School and are afraid to report it to the school, they are asked to contact a school resource officer who would resolve the case with school administration.