Parents disclose cruel nickname bullies reportedly gave their 10-year-old son before his tragic suicide

Amid the distressing revelations shared by the teusch family, some community members and insiders have started questioning the actual level of knowledge and involvement of the school.

Rumors indicate that complaints regarding bullying may have been recorded but discreetly disregarded or downplayed within the confines of closed doors, leading to worries about potential systemic shortcomings.

Is it possible that there was a more profound culture of neglect or even deliberate attempts to conceal the true extent of what Sammy experienced?

These suspicions have led to an increasing demand for a comprehensive, open investigation—not only into the conduct of individual staff members but also into the school district’s broader policies and accountability mechanisms.

As the legal proceedings progress, many are left pondering if additional measures could have been taken to safeguard Sammy from the impending disaster. 

This article contains sensitive material that may be upsetting to some readers. 

The parents of a 10-year-old boy from Indiana, who tragically took his own life, have shared the devastating story of the bullying their son allegedly endured before his death. 

Sammy was discovered dead on May 5, 2024, shortly after bullies allegedly threatened to harm him when school resumed following the weekend, as reported by wrtv.com. 

His 13-year-old brother, Xander Teusch, stumbled upon him hanging from his bunk bed around 11:30 am.

Now, Sammy’s parents, Sam and Nicole Teusch, have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Greenfield-Central Community School Corporation and its board of trustees, claiming that they ignored multiple reports of bullying directed at their son. 

The lawsuit claims that school officials displayed a lack of concern and that multiple staff members were aware of the bullying Sammy faced while under the school district’s watch, yet did not take any effective measures to address the issue. 

As a direct and foreseeable consequence of the district’s and staff’s gross negligence in fulfilling their fundamental responsibility, Sammy tragically took his own life on May 5, 2024, according to the legal filing. 

The harassment was reported to have started in the third grade. Sammy’s classmates called him ‘dahmer,’ a derogatory term that was associated with the infamous serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, a name that seemed to fit Sammy’s physical appearance. 

Upon receiving the notification, the lawsuit alleges that the teacher’s response was dismissive: in her view, Sammy bore some resemblance to Jeffrey Dahmer.

Shortly after, Sammy’s behavior took a turn for the worse, as he started misbehaving in class, which his parents suspect is his way of seeking assistance. Nevertheless, the lawsuit alleges that he faced disciplinary action for his disruptive behavior. 

At a certain point, a principal stepped in and permitted Sammy to have lunch in the office. However, the lawsuit states that it is unclear whether the principal took any disciplinary actions against the bullies or informed their parents. 

Despite this, the bullying escalated when Sammy relocated to Greenfield Intermediate School for the fourth grade. 

The lawsuit details how Sammy was relentlessly pursued around the school during breakfast, frequently seeking refuge in bathroom stalls and adamantly refusing to emerge. He also endured physical assaults, such as an incident where another student struck him on the head with an ipad, resulting in a black eye and injuries to his neck and shoulder. 

Despite more than 20 reports made to school staff, the harassment persisted.

Despite being aware of the ongoing bullying and harassment, the district failed to take appropriate corrective action, as stated in the lawsuit. This blatant disregard for Sammy’s safety caused him to express to his father, “They don’t listen to me, daddy.” 

The lawsuit alleges that the school engaged in ‘victim shaming and blaming,’ accusing administrators of labeling the bullying as a’sammy problem’ and placing the blame on his’mental problems.’. 

When asked about the lawsuit, the greenfield-central community school corporation directed wrtv to a previous statement they had made. 

‘the loss of a child to suicide is devastating to any community, and greenfield was deeply shaken as we closed the last school year The school district and the larger community expressed their condolences to the teusch family, and we continue to provide them with support and empathy. 

Since that tragic day on May 5th, we have thoroughly reviewed records and interviewed numerous individuals involved To date, we have not found any evidence to support the allegations mentioned, the district stated. We believe that a thorough examination of the records would lead to the same conclusion.

At Greenfield-Central, we are dedicated to providing support to all our students, regardless of their individual needs, as soon as they join us. This dedication to students and families will always remain. 

Local authorities have acknowledged that bullying took place before Sammy’s ‘traumatic’ death and have initiated an investigation to understand the events leading up to it. 

In an interview conducted in May, Sammy’s father, Sammy Teusch, expressed the irreparable nature of the loss but also stated,’so I have to create something to fix it for others.’. 

Motivated to bring about change, sam initiated a petition calling on Congress to enact comprehensive anti-bullying legislation on a national scale. The petition has since amassed over 38,128 signatures. 

Despite his sorrow, he expressed how challenging it has been to maintain hope: ‘how do you do that in a situation like this?’ he asked. ‘there is no positive here.’ There is no positive aspect to this situation, the only potential benefit is if we manage to turn it into something positive.’. 

If you or someone you know is facing difficulties or experiencing a crisis, there is assistance available. Call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.Org. 

Sammy Teusch’s untimely death serves as a stark reminder of the tragic outcomes that can arise from unaddressed bullying, emphasizing the critical importance of schools and communities to prioritize and address these issues promptly.

As his family fights for justice and advocates for more stringent anti-bullying legislation, their story serves as a poignant reminder that no child should ever feel so alone and silenced.

It is crucial that educational institutions establish secure environments where every student is safeguarded and provided with the necessary support.

If you or someone you know is facing difficulties, remember that support is accessible—reach out, speak up, and know that you are not alone.