DSlatton@ (address witheld)

I write this to all, in hopes of making a difference in some Childs life today, tomorrow, or next week. Today, a little 12 year old boy, gave up the struggle he faced in School, being picked on by bullies bigger than he. He was stuffed into lockers and left for hours, harassed and ridiculed for no apparent reason, other than because they could do it and getaway with it...

I will withhold his name because of the pain it is causing those who loved him. He was a student in the 7th grade, at Zebulon middle school, here in Zebulon N.C.

He was an intelligent child, and well loved by his family, and well liked by his friends. Today, He was found hung from a jump rope in the boys locker room, and later died at the hospital.

What does it take to take a child to this kind of action, and could it have been avoided ? I think YES !!!! Was someone listening to his cry for help, could the same bullies who picked on him constantly, be responsible for this child losing his life? Could the same bullies who stuffed him into lockers, also have hung this little boy ? My mind says yes !!! We may not ever know the truth.......

My message to all children is simple, If you have problems, talk to someone, if someone is playing the bully with you, talk to someone about it, bottom line, GET HELP !!! As Parents, We must be more aware of what our Children are going through, and what they are up to ... Know the signs, and help the Child one way or the other!!!! Innocent lives are at stake, lets not lose any more Children because we missed the warning signs!!!

Dennis P. Slatton