The father of a 10-year-old boy who tragically took his own life after enduring relentless bullying from classmates is now facing further torment. He and his wife are being targeted by complete strangers who are blaming them for their son’s death, accusing them of failing as parents.
Sam Teusch, the father of Sammy, who tragically ended his own life on May 5, expressed to The Daily Beast that he is still grappling with the events that transpired.
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“I’m doing okay at the moment,” Teusch said, his voice filled with emotion. “But in the next moment, I might not be. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions, constantly going up and down. Every time I walk past my microwave, I can’t help but think of Sammy climbing up on the counter to throw in a bowl of soup. It hits me hard and knocks me down.”
Teusch shared that he has been receiving messages from unknown individuals blaming him for the situation. Some claim that it is his fault or that he did not do enough to protect him. He described the experience as terrible. Teusch used an analogy to explain the situation, comparing it to a school where there are a few troublemakers among a larger group of well-behaved students. However, in this case, the scale is much larger, with hundreds of millions of people involved, and a significant number of them engaging in hateful behavior.
Teusch, who relocated his family from Pensacola, Florida to a small town in Indiana for employment, expressed his frustration with the individuals who are sending hateful messages. He emphasized that these individuals do not have a true understanding of his family’s situation and the fact that they devote all their time to their children.
Teusch admitted that he still harbors intense anger regarding his son’s ordeal. However, he firmly emphasizes that he does not desire to dwell on negativity. Instead, he aims to impart a valuable lesson to others: the power of kindness in achieving remarkable things.
Teusch emphasized that he refuses to succumb to a mindset where people judge him. He firmly believes in maintaining a positive outlook and always finding the silver lining in any situation. Initially, he struggled to see the good in his circumstances for the first four days and even began to loathe himself. However, as a family, they had a crucial conversation and decided that there must be something positive to be found. They were determined to seek out and embrace the good part amidst the challenges they faced.
Teusch, a construction engineer working for an Indianapolis-based hotel chain, expressed his conviction that his late son would anticipate him, above anyone else, to take proactive measures in order to preserve his memory and create a lasting legacy.
“He was not just attacked, but also assaulted,” Teusch explained passionately. “I firmly believe that this is not just an issue specific to Indiana, but a problem that affects the entire nation. It transcends political affiliations, racial divides, and religious beliefs. This is a concern that every parent should be aware of and actively address.”
Sammy Teusch visited New York City last year and had the opportunity to see the Statue of Liberty up close.
The couple was unable to withdraw Sammy from school, as they did not have the financial means to enroll him in a private school.
Sammy was described as “an amazing little boy,” a sentiment that was further reinforced by the testimonials of his classmates during his viewing on Tuesday.
According to Teusch, other children would often tell him that his son had a positive impact on them. They mentioned how Sammy would uplift them and make their day brighter by slam-dunking his trash into the garbage can, just like Kobe Bryant. Despite facing constant bullying, Sammy had more friends than he was aware of, as revealed by Teusch.
“He touched the lives of so many people, more than one could ever fathom,” he expressed. “He was an extraordinary young man… mischievous, full of fun, and always curious about the inner workings of everything. He had this insatiable desire to understand what made things tick. Despite his young age, he possessed a wisdom and maturity that went beyond his years. I would definitely describe him as an old soul.”
Teusch emphasized the invaluable support he has received from the community in coping with his devastating loss. He has been reached out to by firefighters, police officers, and ordinary individuals who share that Sammy had left a lasting impact on their lives.
Teusch expressed, “I couldn’t have made it through this challenging time without their support. It was truly incredible to witness thousands of strangers, especially children, walk through my home to offer their condolences. It was at that moment that I realized I needed to turn this tragedy into something positive. My ultimate goal now is to save the lives of children, even if it’s just one or three.”
The family plans to hold a candlelight vigil for Sammy on Friday night, with Teusch expressing her determination to fight for him, stating, “He’s worth it.”
During their conversation on Friday, Teusch reminisced about a family trip they took to New York City last March, a destination that Sammy truly adored. Sammy and his three siblings handpicked the city as their vacation spot, and it instantly became a cherished place for Sammy. Teusch shared that Sammy often dreamed of revisiting New York City one day.
Teusch admitted, “I believe I managed to make him weary of pizza. I made it a point to visit almost every pizza joint in town.”
If you or someone you care about is grappling with thoughts of suicide, it is crucial to seek help. Reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.
