A 13-year-old California boy was found dead at his middle school on March 5 in an apparent suicide.
Orange County Sheriff’s Department deputies responded to Don Juan Avila Middle School around 6:30 a.m. after a call led to the discovery of the boy’s body.
The investigation is being treated as a suicide, sheriff spokeswoman Carrie Braun told KTLA. She said no other students were on campus at the time and that the school was closed down for the day along with an elementary school that’s at the same address.
Parents and children gathered at a nearby park to talk about what happened.
#OCSDPIO OCSD is conducting a death investigation at Don Juan Avila Middle School. This morning at approx 0630 deputies were dispatched to an apparent suicide on the campus. Upon arrival, deputies located a deceased 13 year old male. We are conducting a full investigation. pic.twitter.com/xu08uaEqB5
— OC Sheriff, CA (@OCSheriff) March 5, 2019
OCSD Personnel are investigating an apparent suicide of a 13yr.old at Don Juan Avila middle school. The body was discovered by school personnel at 6:30am this morning. School is closed for today pic.twitter.com/1lVzMkmcDT
— Dave Turner (@OCDaveTv) March 5, 2019
“When you see stuff like that, you want to talk to somebody about it—a teacher, or if you know the kid’s parents,” Ian Ellison told his daughter. “You have to say something about it because we end up with a situation like this.”
Psychologist Kita Curry said that more than 500 children between the ages of 10 and 14 committed suicide in 2018.
“We need to realize that when some people are in terrible pain, they can’t figure out another solution,” Curry told KTLA. “They go to this solution and we need to notice when people seem to be feeling different and feeling helpless, and reach out to them.”
Kita Curry, the president and CEO of the Didi Hirsch Mental Health Center, added to Fox 11 that the Internet, social media, and cyberbullying are among the factors in teen suicides.
Orange County Sheriff’s deputies confirmed the teen killed himself. https://t.co/ePBnu6QS7l
— NBC Los Angeles (@NBCLA) March 6, 2019
If children see a friend struggling or have someone tell them they’re thinking of suicide, they should alert a parent or teacher, she said.
It might betray a trust or confidence but “it’s better than going to their funeral,” Curry added.
Student Jocelyn Ellison said at the park that it’s tough for children to ask for help.
Prayer vigil for 13yo who apparently committed suicide on campus at Don Juan Avila Middle School in Aliso Viejo. Organizer says students are hurting these days and just need to be told they’re loved. @KFIAM640 pic.twitter.com/l2Yd9fwD8E
— Corbin Carson (@CorbinCarson) March 5, 2019
“We don’t like talking to stuff about that to our parents. It’s embarrassing so we tell our friends instead,” she told NBC LA.
Students said the apparent suicide, though, may mark a change in how the topic is discussed and how students interact with their peers.
“I hope everyone comes together just saying hi to someone will make some day,” student Makenna August said.
“Anytime you can share life and pains and sorrows that you go through helps children deal with what they’re feeling so they don’t feel so alone,” added her mother Traci August.