9 Yr old found hanging in school bathroom

[Annie143]

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/012210dnmethanging.a15c906e.html

I had not seen this posted anywhere. It is so tragic and I wonder what was going through that sweet childs mind. I wonder if he felt he was going to be severely punished, at home, for being sent to the office.

I cannot understand how despairing these very young children must be to take their own lives. Though the ones that have found hanging from coat hooks at schools, I no more believe they were suicides than if there is a man in the moon....... poor, poor children. It breaks my heart.

According to the paper, they shut down the comments at the end of the story as I guess it got too contentious. That does make one wonder.

[aubrey04]

I read about this yesterday. It is beyond sad.. He was such a beautiful child. How awful for his parents & his little brother & relatives, as well as the other children/neighbors who knew him..

:rose:

[Amy]

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/012210dnmethanging.a15c906e.html

I had not seen this posted anywhere. It is so tragic and I wonder what was going through that sweet childs mind. I wonder if he felt he was going to be severely punished, at home, for being sent to the office.

I cannot understand how despairing these very young children must be to take their own lives. Though the ones that have found hanging from coat hooks at schools, I no more believe they were suicides than if there is a man in the moon....... poor, poor children. It breaks my heart.

According to the paper, they shut down the comments at the end of the story as I guess it got too contentious. That does make one wonder.


http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/012210dnmethanging.a15c906e.html

He locked himself in the bathroom, and he has done this before." school secretary Cheryl Smith, her voice shaking, told a police dispatcher. "There's no heartbeat. Oh my God."

Wonder what the secretary meant, that he had locked himself before, or that he had hanged himself before? Surely she meant locked himself in.

It is scary, for sure, to think of a child this age (or anyone, any age) thinking the only way to deal w/whatever is going on in their lives is to kill themselves. Prayers to his family and to the community. It's going to be hard to understand this.

[Leanne Weich]

This is beyond heartbreaking. Such a beautiful child. It seems like the world has gone crazy with what we hear and read about today.

I don't recall ever hearing of a suicide in such a young child when I was growing up. I knew a girl who lived down the road from me in my first year at school. Her mom used to give her hidings (didn't all parents in those days) and one afternoon she told my mom she was going to die tonight. My mom asked her why etc. and she told her that her mom hit her with a belt until her bum (fanny in America, I believe) bled and she had stolen 7 Aspirin from her granny and was going to take them before she went to bed so she wouldn't wake up. My mom phoned the cops and the child was placed in a foster home while they investigated and she then went to live with her grandmother. I didn't see or hear from her again until my mom's funeral 42 years later.

She went on to become a psychiatrist and is happily married with 6 children, none of whom ever got smacked.

[Momof2girls]

This is so sad.
The strange thing is it may not have been a suicide attempt- many shows now are discussing something called "The Hanging Game" where kids and teens (and even adults although their is usually a sexual component to it) suspend themselves to obtain a feeling of euphoria.

[LisaM22]

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/012210dnmethanging.a15c906e.html

I had not seen this posted anywhere. It is so tragic and I wonder what was going through that sweet childs mind. I wonder if he felt he was going to be severely punished, at home, for being sent to the office.

I cannot understand how despairing these very young children must be to take their own lives. Though the ones that have found hanging from coat hooks at schools, I no more believe they were suicides than if there is a man in the moon....... poor, poor children. It breaks my heart.

According to the paper, they shut down the comments at the end of the story as I guess it got too contentious. That does make one wonder.

I wish they had video in the room of him entering the bathroom alone, you would always wonder if an school admin or the boy did this to himself, what was he hung with anyways? was the door visibal from where the school admins sat, any possibility of someone going in and leaving without their knowing?

[GossipGirl]

Did it say how he killed himself and I missed it? I thought it just stated the nurse found him unconscious. What does one hang themselves on in a school bathroom FGS???

[GossipGirl]

This is beyond heartbreaking. Such a beautiful child. It seems like the world has gone crazy with what we hear and read about today.

I don't recall ever hearing of a suicide in such a young child when I was growing up. I knew a girl who lived down the road from me in my first year at school. Her mom used to give her hidings (didn't all parents in those days) and one afternoon she told my mom she was going to die tonight. My mom asked her why etc. and she told her that her mom hit her with a belt until her bum (fanny in America, I believe) bled and she had stolen 7 Aspirin from her granny and was going to take them before she went to bed so she wouldn't wake up. My mom phoned the cops and the child was placed in a foster home while they investigated and she then went to live with her grandmother. I didn't see or hear from her again until my mom's funeral 42 years later.

She went on to become a psychiatrist and is happily married with 6 children, none of whom ever got smacked.

I don't know you at all, Leann, but this story has just sealed you in my mind forever.
I would love to know more. Did you speak to the woman? It's obvious your Mother had a profound impact on her life.

[Amy]

Did it say how he killed himself and I missed it? I thought it just stated the nurse found him unconscious. What does one hang themselves on in a school bathroom FGS???

Headline from the article:

Friends, family stunned by apparent suicide of 9-year-old at Colony school


and quote:

a day after Montana Lance apparently hanged himself in a restroom at school.I don't know what would be available, unless he wore a belt he could use. I know there was nothing in the bathrooms @ our schools, even the bathroom in the nurse's office (which is where a child would go here, if s/he were sent to the front office) that would enable someone to hang himself.

[Amy S.]

I thought that maybe it was the school bathroom that would have had a top bar across a series of toilet doors, but this reads as if it was a single bathroom in the nurse's office.

Maybe tv programs are teaching these young people about suicide.

[CatToy]

How terrible. I want to know what was happening in his life that was so horrible to him; what was so awful happening in his home life that lead him to this decision. UNLESS he was playing the choking game.
I do know that some kids die from this game, as the lure to try to choke yourself out overwhelms some of them.

Now, when I was a kid, (too many years ago) Yes. We did play the choking game. But it wasn't called that. I'm trying to think what we called it. I think we called it the hugging game. Because our friends, or older brothers would pick you up off the floor, leave your feet dangle and squeeze you in a bear hug just under your ribs. You would pass out, in about 40 seconds. None of us knew how dangerous or deadly it was. None of us died or became ill. I think I was lucky as I have a heart condition but they picked on me a lot because I'm tiny and easy to pick up. :(

There have been some reports lately of children who do actually try to engage in the game by them selves.

And I do wonder, was he really trying to hang himself? or was he playing "the Game?"

CT

:rose:

[Moondust]

Ohh, my...just awful....:crying:

I can only imagine that he feared this visit to the principles office so much that he thought the only way to avoid it would be to do this....am sure he had no concept of the long term consequences of death....just awful...:sad:

[Mandysmom]

What a heartbreaking story. Just a baby at 9.

God bless his little heart.

:sad:

[tootie]

Prayers for Montana and the friends and family he has left behind. This is so sad. :sad:

[Veritas~]

Suicide is so heartbreaking. :crying:

[airportwoman]

Are they sure this was a suicide and not murder?

[Lavinya]

We had a 12 year old little boy in our town hang himself I guess a couple of years ago now. His family is VERY prominent and wealthy and the house has sat empty for a long time. Supposedly, his parents were wanting him to get in the car to go somewhere he didn't want to go and he ran from outside into his room and when they went to get him, they found him hanged by his belt in his closet. They didn't know if he intended to kill himself or if he was just in a rage and trying to scare his folks and it went too far.

[Mandysmom]

We had a 12 year old little boy in our town hang himself I guess a couple of years ago now. His family is VERY prominent and wealthy and the house has sat empty for a long time. Supposedly, his parents were wanting him to get in the car to go somewhere he didn't want to go and he ran from outside into his room and when they went to get him, they found him hanged by his belt in his closet. They didn't know if he intended to kill himself or if he was just in a rage and trying to scare his folks and it went too far.

Awful, just awful. Kids at these ages should be thinking of how wonderful life will be, not so miserable as to kill themselves.

:sad:

[Amy]

We had a 12 year old little boy in our town hang himself I guess a couple of years ago now. His family is VERY prominent and wealthy and the house has sat empty for a long time. Supposedly, his parents were wanting him to get in the car to go somewhere he didn't want to go and he ran from outside into his room and when they went to get him, they found him hanged by his belt in his closet. They didn't know if he intended to kill himself or if he was just in a rage and trying to scare his folks and it went too far.

The boy in our community was 11 or 12 when he hanged himself in his closet. There was no follow up news, so don't know if it was family or school related.

I know some do kill themselves because of a bullying factor. But some also kill themselves because of a perfectionist personality, and thinking s/he is not living up to expectations set (or s/he presumes were set) by parents, or even by himself.

[need2no]

Boy, 9, Commits Suicide Inside Texas School Bathroom

A nine-year-old Texas boy hung himself by tying a belt around his neck inside the restroom of his school in The Colony.


http://myjohnstownpa.com/news/boy-9-commits-suicide-inside-texas-school-bathroom/


:crying:

[Amy S.]

Wouldn't a 9 YOs belt only be about 24 inches long? I just am not getting how anyone can hang themselves with a belt, in a closet or bathroom.

Are they using the rod that they hang their clothes on? And then, what? I mean, even if that rod held the child's weight, the belt would have to be long enough to slip over that and then tie around your neck. But then, you are just standing there with your feet on the floor. I guess you would need a waste paper basket to stand on.

I am going into the closet now, with my 32 inch belt and seeing how this is possible. I will be back.

[Lavinya]

Wouldn't a 9 YOs belt only be about 24 inches long? I just am not getting how anyone can hang themselves with a belt, in a closet or bathroom.

Are they using the rod that they hang their clothes on? And then, what? I mean, even if that rod held the child's weight, the belt would have to be long enough to slip over that and then tie around your neck. But then, you are just standing there with your feet on the floor. I guess you would need a waste paper basket to stand on.

I am going into the closet now, with my 32 inch belt and seeing how this is possible. I will be back.

:ohmy: Please check back in!

[Amy S.]

OK. I see, now. You would put the end of the belt through the buckle and pull it tight around your neck. Then, you would tie the end of the belt to the clothes rod. But, you would still need to stand on something and kick it out from under you. And you need a lengthy belt.

That would take some planning. My longest rod, would not hold a child. A shorter rod would, maybe. I am surprised that the rods haven't been designed to break, if one huge amount of weight is put on it.

[Dakota]

It looks like there have been ongoing problems with this school system. A group of parents have started a website with some details of these problems.

http://www.firemissland.com/Montana.html

No matter the reasons behind this, I'm very sorry for his family. I hope they get the truth behind whatever happened.

[Moondust]

It looks like there have been ongoing problems with this school system. A group of parents have started a website with some details of these problems.

http://www.firemissland.com/Montana.html

No matter the reasons behind this, I'm very sorry for his family. I hope they get the truth behind whatever happened.

WOW....that principle sounds really bad.....poor Montana...:rose:

I hope families get together and get that woman's head on a platter...:mad:

[BorderCollieMom]

Theres not a doubt in my mind that SOMETHING has been going on there for a long time.

[need2no]

WOW....that principle sounds really bad.....poor Montana...:rose:

I hope families get together and get that woman's head on a platter...:mad:


I hope the authorities do a thorough investigation of his death, and I hope the school board does a thorough investigation of the school.


:rose: RIP Montana

[BorderCollieMom]

I hope the authorities do a thorough investigation of his death, and I hope the school board does a thorough investigation of the school.


:rose: RIP Montana

Looks to me like the Lewisville Independent School District has known for possibly years, that there were problems at Stewarts Creek, especially with Land & possibly some of the teachers.

Kudos to the parents who are calling out these PUBLICLY, with DOCUMENTATION.

In my experience, I know MOST of the folks who teach & guide our kiddos are wonderful, loving people....but I am not blind to there being abusive bad apples either.

I hope there is JUSTICE for Montana !

[Mandysmom]

I hope the authorities do a thorough investigation of his death, and I hope the school board does a thorough investigation of the school.


:rose: RIP Montana
I do too. There is no excuse for mistreating a child.

:cursing:

[Amy]

WOW....that principle sounds really bad.....poor Montana...:rose:

I hope families get together and get that woman's head on a platter...:mad:

Thanks for the link. Interesting, to say the least.

I am wondering where the school board, the superintendent of the district is? Usually, the board is comprised of people of the community, often being parents of children in the school(s.) To whom did these people complain? And, if the school board isn't responsible enough to investigate the complaints--there is always an election to oust those and put in people who DO listen. And, if the board isn't going to listen, there is the State Board of Education. After going thru the chain of command, as Ms Land says should be done, if nothing is done, how's about getting an investigative reporter to start a series of articles on the conditions of the school? Somewhere along the line, the teachers/administrative officials that are ineffective, disruptive, etc should be ousted.

I know our school wants parental involvement--but have seen where they only want it on their terms. Parents who might rock the boat aren't quite so welcome as others, but to my knowledge, no parent has been told they could not be @ the school @ any time--announced or unannounced. I would also be wondering why parents are not welcome---volunteers to help w/reading, math, etc etc etc are always needed in schools. Especially w/budget cuts that start w/para positions being axed.

I would be with those parents who have removed their children from the school. I realize that there are financial contraints that might preclude some from being able to do that. But, if enough parents COULD remove their children, someone would start looking to see why the enrollment has shrunk--they need students to get the money for the school.

[RootBeer]

http://www.legacy.com/gb2/default.aspx?bookid=2491219821576

[Patriot]

It looks like there have been ongoing problems with this school system. A group of parents have started a website with some details of these problems.

http://www.firemissland.com/Montana.html

No matter the reasons behind this, I'm very sorry for his family. I hope they get the truth behind whatever happened.

Wow, that principal sounds like a real piece of work.

[FoxySly]

~
This story has me in tears. My oldest Grandson just turned 10 on the 21st & my Granddaughter will be 9 in about 6 weeks.

Sadly, there are indeed awful schools, teachers, staff, principles ect...
Because of our life's circumstances my Son & I had to move a documented 50 times by the time he was 14, so he went to many schools.

Some of the schools loved that I was so concerned and involved in his schooling where as others it upset them and I learned about taking my views to the school superintendents/administrator and got many things changed.
We once made the headlines of the Baytown Sun 6 weeks in a roll, 2nd page of the Houston Chronicle and one night on Houston's ABC News TV channel. It took a lot but we got that wrong changed.

This just totally is heart breaking that ANY CHILD should feel such despair to feel the need do this. To so many it is a last resort to put an end to their suffering.

I recall a Child In Liberty, TX arriving very early, who blew his brains out at the front door of the school because of a teacher, he was found that way with a note to those arriving.

Our Children are our greatest resource, I don't understand why we don't tend to them accordingly.

:rose: R.I.P. :rose: Montana Lance :rose:

Sly

~

[BorderCollieMom]

http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/Medical-examiner-confirms-The-Colony-boy--84736427.html

Lt. Darren Brockway, of The Colony Police Department, said the medical examiner's finding is consistent with the police investigation into the death.

My prayers sent.

[Amy]

Bless his little heart. May he rest in peace, and my prayers go to his family and friends.

[Annie143]

In the other pressures of RL, I had forgotten about this little boy. I am ashamed.

I, too, think there was something going on that is not being brought out. I think about my 6 year old grandson, his temperament is such that he would be devastated if he was bullied or anything. He is a anxious child and always has been so very sensitive to things.

My heart aches for Montana.