Sammy Teusch passed away by suicide on May 5, 2024, leaving a grieving family demanding answers and accountability.
Warning: This article discusses suicide, which some readers may find upsetting.
The heartbroken parents of a 10-year-old boy have shared the cruel nickname bullies allegedly called their son in the time leading up to his tragic death.
Samuel Teusch, affectionately known as Sammy, was a fourth-grade student at Greenfield-Central Intermediate School in Indiana. He died by suicide on May 5, 2024, leaving a devastated family and community.
That morning, Sammy’s 13-year-old brother discovered him unresponsive in his bedroom, an event that has shaken their family to its core.
Sammy’s parents, Samuel and Nichole Teusch, believe he was subjected to relentless emotional and physical bullying at school.
They also expressed frustration at what they described as the school’s lack of action to address the problem.
Speaking to 13News, Sammy’s father shared that his son was often teased for his glasses and, later, his teeth became another target for cruel jokes among classmates.
Sammy Teusch died in May this year Stillinger Family Funeral Home
He elaborated: “He was beat up on the […] school bus and the kid broke his glasses and everything,”
In an interview with FOX 59, he added: “‘How could God take my kid from here?’ Of course that was going through my head. God didn’t take my kid; hate did.”
While Sammy’s father has called for accountability and measures to prevent such tragedies, police investigations revealed “no known cause” behind Sammy’s decision, despite the claims of bullying made by his parents.
In June, the Greenfield Police Department announced that there would be no criminal charges filed in the case, following a review by the Hancock County Prosecutor’s Office.
At the time, Police Chief Brian Hartman addressed the situation, saying: “At the very beginning, everybody started saying this was bullying, this was a result of bullying, and I say this with a heavy heart, unfortunately, we do not know the cause of this.”
He further explained: “There was no note or no text messages. Sammy didn’t say why he felt he had to do this.”
Sammy’s parents filed a lawsuit YouTube/WTHR
However, investigations did reveal that Sammy had been subjected to bullying both inside and outside of school. His parents stated that they had reported at least 20 incidents of bullying to school authorities prior to his death.
In response, Samuel and Nichole have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Greenfield-Central Community School Corporation and its Board of Trustees. The lawsuit alleges “callous indifference” on the part of the school district, citing repeated reports of bullying that were allegedly ignored.
The lawsuit further claims that the school failed to take meaningful action to protect Sammy from the harassment he endured.
The lawsuit also states: “As a direct and proximate result of the District’s and these individuals’ gross dereliction of arguably their most important duty, Sammy took his own life on May 5, 2024.”
Among the allegations, the suit claims that classmates referred to Sammy as “Dahmer,” a cruel nickname referencing the infamous serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer.
Shockingly, the suit alleges that a teacher, upon hearing about the nickname, commented that Sammy “did somewhat resemble Jeffrey Dahmer.”
Sammy’s parents say he was called ‘Dahmer’ YouTube/ WTHR
The lawsuit also details how Sammy began acting out in school, which his parents believe was a desperate cry for help. Instead of receiving support, the boy was reportedly reprimanded.
Although the school principal eventually allowed Sammy to eat lunch in their office after learning of the nickname, the lawsuit claims it remains unclear whether any disciplinary actions were taken against the bullies or if their parents were informed of the situation.
Tragically, the lawsuit alleges that the bullying escalated further when Sammy entered the fourth grade, ultimately leading to his death.
The suit continues: “During breakfast period, Sammy was chased throughout the school, and would attempt to hide in a bathroom stall, often refusing to come out.”
Chief Hartman acknowledged that Sammy experienced difficulties with other students at school, supported by “statements and facts” collected during the investigation.
However, he noted that other challenges outside of school might have also contributed to Sammy’s decision, describing it as an accumulation of multiple factors.
The chief expressed sadness over the situation, emphasizing the complexity of the events leading to Sammy’s tragic death.
