Sammy Toish, a 10-year-old boy with a big, contagious smile, was buried this week in his hometown of Greenfield, Indiana.
Image source: WTHR-TV video screenshot, composite
Sammy’s parents announced that he took his own life on the morning of May 5th. His heartbreaking end came after two years of relentless verbal bullying, which had recently turned physical and he could no longer bear it.
The bullying mainly concerned glasses and teeth.
“He got beaten up on the school bus and kids broke his glasses and stuff. So I called the school and they said, ‘What are you doing about this? It keeps getting worse and worse…’ “”
“He was my little boy. He was my baby. He was my youngest,” Sammy’s mother, Nicole Teusch, said through tears. told WTHRTV.
Image source: WTHR-TV video screenshot
“I held him in my arms. I did something a father should never do, and every time I close my eyes, that’s all I see,” his father, Sam Teusch, told the station. told.
Image source: WTHR-TV video screenshot
Sammy’s family told WTHR that others had bullied Sammy up until the night before his death. The ordeal began last year at elementary school and continued this year at Greenfield Secondary School.
Image source: WTHR-TV video screenshot
“At first we teased him about his glasses, then he started making fun of his teeth,” his father told the station. “It went on for a long time.”
The bullying then turned physical, WTHR said.
“He got beaten up on the school bus and kids broke his glasses and stuff. So he called the school and said, ‘What are you doing with this? It keeps getting worse and worse. ‘And there’s nothing I can do about it.’ It’s not getting better, it’s getting worse,” Sammy’s father added to the station.
Image source: WTHR-TV video screenshot
“The school knew this was happening. They knew this was happening,” he told WTHR, adding that he contacted the school 20 times about the bullying.
However, District Superintendent Harold Olin told the department that neither Sammy nor his parents ever filed a bullying report, and that school administrators and counselors have regular conversations with the family, but that He said he could not share the contents.
Sammy’s family told WTHR that the bullying extended beyond school and the bus to Snapchat, even though Sammy’s parents restricted him from accessing his cell phone.
“‘I’m going to hit you. I’m going to hit you when I get to school.’ Say mean things about him.” [mom]That would really, really piss him off,” Sammy’s father told the station.
Sadly, despite frequent encouragement from those who loved him, Sammy’s family told WTHR that he became withdrawn and unable to open up. They told the station they believed Sammy’s suicide was due to his fear of returning to school after an incident in the bathroom the previous week and constant harassment.
Now, there is a void in Toish’s house that can never be filled.
“I always tell the kids that Sammy and his sister went to bed first because they were younger, and that he had to brush his teeth to get ready for bed, and that he wasn’t there to cuddle before bed. Sammy’s mother is inconsolable. , shared with WTHR.
After Sammy’s death, rumors spread, and WTHR reported: The story after that Earlier this week, more than 100 motorcycle riders rode side-by-side down New Road in Greenfield to Brandywine Church for Sammy’s service.
Police said most of the bikers didn’t know Sammy, but were moved by his story.
Image source: WTHR-TV video screenshot
The station added that loved ones shared memories of Sammy in the church auditorium, after which Sammy’s relatives carried his coffin out of the church and placed it in a hearse.
Image source: WTHR-TV video screenshot
It all culminated in Greenfield Cemetery, where Sammy is currently laid to rest, according to WTHR.
Image source: WTHR-TV video screenshot
Sammy’s family and some of his classmates surrounded the casket as a pastor read the final prayers, the station said.
Image source: WTHR-TV video screenshot
Image source: WTHR-TV video screenshot
Weather permitting, a candlelight vigil is scheduled for Friday at Depot Park in Greenfield from 8 to 10 p.m., according to WTHR.
Help when facing bullying
If you or a child you know is being bullied, the department recommended the following resources:
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Complete Bullying Resource Center. stomp out bullying Resources for parents About children who are being bullied.Safekids.com has resources
focused on cyberbullyingyou can track your kids even outside of school.If you or someone you know is considering suicide, contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
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