No criminal charges in Sammy Tesuch’s suicide, according to police

News from the USA

Of Katherine Donlevy

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

In the heartbreaking case, the 10-year-old Indiana boy died May 5 of “asphyxiation by strangulation, suicide,” the Hancock County coroner ruled.

While officials acknowledge that the young man suffered “some harassment” — as his parents have strongly argued — they have ruled that there is insufficient evidence to warrant any criminal charges in the case.

“At first everybody started saying it was bullying, this was a result of harassment, and I say that with a heavy heart, unfortunately we don’t know the cause,” 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 discovered that Sammy had been targeted both inside and outside of Greenfield Middle School.

At least two such incidents occurred on school property — in the cafeteria and on the bus, according to his family.

“We think he was having a hard time at school from other kids,” Hartman said.

“I have statements and facts to back it up. There were also things that happened outside of school… There was probably an accumulation of things that happened in this kid’s life that led to that traumatic decision that he made in that day.”

The school was not found negligent in his death because administrators “addressed the incidents,” including giving one of the alleged bullies “a day in school and a day out of school,” the police chief said.

The ruling runs counter to claims made by Sammy’s parents — who said they complained to the school about 20 times about the bullying that began last year when he was in elementary school.

The children started by tormenting Sammy for his glasses and teeth, but the bullying quickly escalated to violence, they said, claiming the school never responded to their pleas for help.

The harassment continued until Sammy decided to take his own life, they claim.

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

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

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

If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, you can call the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.