Mississippi boy commits suicide due to bullying, parents say

SOUTHAVEN, Miss. — A 12-year-old Mississippi killed himself last week due to bullying, his family said.

Andrew Leach left a note to his family before he hung himself in the garage, his mother Cheryl Hudson told WREG-TV. 

Andrew's 16-year-old brother found his body.

Hudson said the bullying was relentless and was a serious problem in Andrew's middle school.

“A few years ago there was a young girl who hung herself from a water tower due to bullying,” she said. “There have been several attempts since then with other kids.”

Hudson said she spoke with the school's principal about the bullying and Andrew's father spoke with the teacher once,

"I didn't know how to handle it," she said.

In general, Hudson said Andrew seemed happy. The note he left behind explained more of what was happening.

"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," his father told WREG-TV.

The mother said they heard there was a group of children that were calling Andrew fat, ugly and worthless.

The family told WREG-TV police are investigating.

In a statement, DeSoto County Schools did not say whether the district was aware of Andrew's bullying, but encouraged students to contact them with reports.

If you are having trouble, call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.

Cox Media Group