Our children should have their lives filled with joy and play, laughter, and feelings of security and fun, to be children without the worries of life, experiencing new and happy things each day.
Andrew Leach was 12-years-old, and he had his whole life ahead of him, but for Andrew, he felt like he could not go on anymore.
The young boy, having seen nothing of life chose to end his life and his personal nightmare in the worse way possible on March 6.
His brother found him in the garage, such a deeply upsetting tragedy!
Andy was putting up with being bullied, and it only got worse as time went on, he told his classmates that he thought he might be bisexual…
His father said to the news that he thought that because he was open it only made other children pick on him even more.
His Mother said that:
he was called… “fat, ugly and useless”
The other children at the at Southaven Middle School picked on him, they didn’t care in the least bit about his feelings at all!
It all went too far, he even got death threats from other children at the school whilst he was in the school toilets, how incredibly low and inhumane!
His dad said:
“Kids were telling him, ‘We’re gonna put hands on you. You’re not going to make it out of this bathroom.’ Things of that nature”
The family told the school and complained about the treatment of their son, but none of the teachers could stop the bullying from happening. In the end, Andy, in the sixth grade, thought enough was enough, he couldn’t stand it anymore.
He was found dead in the garage, he had hung himself, his brother, 16-years-old and also suffering from bullying had found him, such sadness for the family, but especially for him, seeing him like he did.
And’s mom, Cheryl Hudson, said that her son left a farewell letter to his family, he revealed in the letter about his plan to end his life.
Since he died his mom has shared many heartbreaking stories about her son on Facebook, she also tells about how Andy loved to cook even, many things he wouldn’t be able to do anymore!
Cheryl writes:
“Another story just came to mind. Andy loved to learn how to cook. He wasn’t always good at it but he loved it. I came home from work one day (this happened several times) and sitting on my nightstand would be something he made. Once, it was sliced potatoes that were dang near raw lol But he always thought about things he could do for me, help me with, he loved doing special things for me”
In yet another post hi mom shared; she wrote:
“I also remember each time I’d give him a bath. I’d get him out of the tub and stand him up on the toilet to dry him off. One night he said, “Mommy, I don’t want to eat anymore.” I said “what?? Why baby?” And he said “if I eat I’ll get bigger. And then you won’t be able to hold me anymore.”
God I miss my baby so much”
Andy’s parents have spoken out to the media following their son’s death, they want to raise awareness and use the tragedy to educate and help others about the dangers of bullying.
Cheryl said to the news:
“I am on a crusade that I plan to not stop”
His mom hopes that Andy’s death won’t be in vain, that more and more people will join the fight against bullying.
Cheryl writes on her Facebook:
“Please share!! We need people to attend this. If your child is being bullied, you need to be here. If you know children being bullied, you need to be here. If you have children growing up and beginning school, you need to be here. Let’s allow Andy’s Voice to make a difference!! Share this event and tag everyone you know!”
Sadly Andy’s story is not an isolated incident, there are many similar cases.
Way too many children end up taking their lives each year because of being bullied by peers.
DeSoto County School said (In a statement relating to Andy’s case):
“All bullying reports are treated with the utmost importance. Students and parents are encouraged to contact school officials anytime there are bullying concerns, and they can use a link on the DeSoto County Schools website if they would prefer to report bullying incidents anonymously. All claims are investigated thoroughly, and school counselors are trained to help students and intervene when they are aware of a situation. Our hearts go out to this young student’s friends and family.”
Bullying is a terrible and deeply disturbing thing to experience, to be pushed to such extreme limits, it’s so sad!
Let Andy’s story give us a reminder and huge wake-up call. All of us must do whatever we can to stop bullying, wherever and whatever stop bullying!
Bullying can happen anywhere, let’s all join together and stop bullying once and for all!
Please help and SHARE this with everyone you know!