Family Says School Did Not Do Enough After 14 Year Old Takes His Life Over Anti-Gay Bullying

‘He Had Such a Big Heart. He Was Always Joking and Laughing.’

The family of a 14-year old boy who took his life in the face of anti-gay bullying is accusing his school of not taking enough action and not acting quickly enough. German Aramburo-Guzman, ABC 10 News reports, died by suicide after verbal homophobic bullying, and bullying on social media platforms including Snapchat, Facebook, and Instagram.

Katrina Guzman, German’s aunt, says the San Diego charter school, King Chavez Community High School, told the family the teen was being bullied, but did not tell the family about an incident at school during which German reportedly tried to harm himself. The school also waited a week after German’s mother contacted the school to discuss the bullying.

“He had such a big heart. He was always joking and laughing,” Katrina Guzman tells ABC 10. “We are heartbroken.”

“It was verbally, through Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, and an anonymous messaging app. He was taunted over homophobic slurs. Kids would make fun of him, the way he looked, the way acted,” she adds, saying German was not gay.

Guzman says a counselor told his mother he’d be paired with a counselor. “At the time she left with no answer on how they were going to address the bullying,” said Guzman.     

A week later, Guzman says a counselor contacted his mother after school to have a meeting the next day about an incident but gave few details.             

Hours later, German would take his life. Guzman says her family has since learned German tried to harm himself at school.

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A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help with funeral expenses.

The school defends its actions, and in a statement says “multiple interventions and communications have been and continue to be made since we received information regarding the student. This included intervention by administration, mental health staff three times a week, and assistance from the San Diego Police PERT organization.”

If you or a loved one are in crisis or in need of immediate support, please call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

You can also contact the nation’s only 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBT and questioning youth ages 13-24 at 1-866-4-U-TREVOR (866-488-7386) or the GLBT National Help Center at 1-888-THE-GLNH (888-843-4564).

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Hat tip: Towleroad

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