No charges filed in Sammy Tesuch’s suicide, police say

US News

From Katherine Donlevy

Little Sammy Teusch was bullied in and out of school before he took his own life earlier this month, police confirmed Friday. However, no one will be charged in connection with his death.

In this heartbreaking case, the 10-year-old Indiana boy died on May 5 of “asphyxiation by strangulation, suicide,” according to the Hancock County coroner’s verdict.

Although officials acknowledged that the teen had experienced “some level of bullying” – as his parents vehemently claimed – they concluded that there was insufficient evidence to file charges in the case.

“At the very beginning, everyone said this was bullying, this was the result of bullying, and I say this with a heavy heart, unfortunately we don’t know the cause of this,” Greenfield Police Chief Brian Hartman said Friday.

“There was no note or text message. Sammy didn’t say why he felt he had to do that.”

After a four-week investigation, police determined that Sammy had been the victim of assaults both inside and outside of Greenfield Intermediate School.

According to his family, at least two such incidents occurred on school grounds – in the cafeteria and on the bus.

“We believe he had a tough time at school with other kids,” Hartman said.

“I have statements and facts to back that up. There were also things that happened outside of school… There was probably a buildup of things in that child’s life that led to the traumatic decision he made that day.”

The school was not to blame for his death because the school administration “dealt with the incidents” and imposed, among other things, “one day of school attendance and one day of school expulsion” on one of the alleged bullies, the police chief said.

The verdict contradicts statements made by Sammy’s parents, who complained to the school about 20 times about the bullying that began last year when he was in primary school.

The children began to tormenting Sammy because of his glasses and teeth, but the bullying quickly escalated into violence, they said, claiming the school never responded to their cries for help.

They claim that the bullying continued until the moment Sammy decided to end his life.

The 10-year-old boy was found dead in his bedroom by his 13-year-old brother Xander, his grieving parents previously told PEOPLE.

Superintendent Dr. Harold Olin said in a statement Friday that the police findings “are consistent with the information obtained from Greenfield-Central’s internal investigation.”

“Greenfield-Central takes all bullying concerns very seriously. We have provided and will continue to provide a safe environment for students at our schools.”

If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 988 or contact SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.