The young boy who committed suicide as he began his first day of school in North Carolina on Tuesday has been identified, and his heartbroken mother has urged other parents to teach their children to be kind.
Austin Pendergrass, 13, committed suicide in a toilet at Wendell Middle School on the first day of eighth grade on Tuesday.
Two students discovered him dead, prompting school officials to send everyone home, citing a “medical emergency.”
Following years of bullying, Pendergrass’s family has confirmed he committed suicide.
His devastated mother, Jessica Pendergrass, told WNCN, “The signals were there, but the bullying was so horrible,” admitting that he had been bullied since sixth school.
Jalia Harris, a family friend, stated in a video filmed at a vigil on Wednesday night, ‘It was so awful last year with kids teasing and beating him’
His mother told WRAL that he was able to enjoy the vacation, but as soon as he returned to school on Tuesday, the bullying again.
Harris stated in the video, “It’s tragic for us, but this should serve as a wake-up call for everyone.”
Jessica Pendergrass said, “Just teach your children to be kind, for children can be so harsh.”
Austin Pendergrass, 13, committed suicide in a bathroom on the first day of eighth grade at Wendell Middle School on Tuesday.
Those who knew Pendergrass characterized him as an intelligent young man who enjoyed making dad jokes. However, he had been bullied for years prior to his suicide on Tuesday.
At a memorial held Wednesday night to remember Pendergrass, family and friends donned red, Austin’s favorite color.
On Wednesday evening, they met at Knightdale Park in Wendell with balloons and flowers in order to release the balloons into the sky in his remembrance.
I wish Austin knew that so many people were here to support him,’ said Austin’s mother to WRAL. I wish he didn’t feel so isolated.
At the memorial, those who knew Pendergrass recalled him as an intelligent youngster who enjoyed telling dad jokes.
Jessica Pendergrass remarked, “Austin was incredibly intelligent and kind.” “He would always come to the car when I pulled up, asking, “Mom, do you need any assistance carrying in anything?”
Pendergrass enjoyed baking with his mother and siblings, according to his aunt Jessica Harris, who remarked that he was always willing to provide a hand.
Also a member of the middle school band, Pendergrass was known for his compassion for animals.
“He adored marine turtles,” his mother reminisced. He used to remark, “Do not use straws, as they are harmful to turtles.”
At a memorial on Wednesday night, Pendergrass’ distraught mother asked parents to teach their children to be kind to others who may be different. She is photographed with Jalia Harris, a family acquaintance.
On Wednesday evening, friends and family gathered at a local park to release balloons in his remembrance.
Now, she hopes that his death will ‘raise awareness among other parents to check on their children, be mean, go through their social media, and go through their phones to determine what’s going on.’
She asked parents to “educate their children to be kind to other children, regardless of their differences, and to hold their children a little tighter.”
Pendergrass’s burial is scheduled for Friday.
The day of his untimely death, the Wake County school board was scheduled to receive a presentation on suicide awareness.
In a letter to parents, the principal of Wendell Middle School, Catherine Trudell, stated that the school will send a student services team and a support team from the District Crisis center to assist mourning pupils.
And at the Tuesday meeting of the school board, board chairwoman Lindsay Mahaffey said that “several of our schools are facing special issues this week.”
According to the News and Observer, she stated, “I do want them to know that we are thinking about them and carrying them in our hearts.”
In addition, Heather Scott, a member of the school board, stated, “The community of Wendell will surround the school with nothing but love and support.”
For confidential support call National Suicide Prevention Line on 1-800-273-8255
