Police are investigating the possible suicide of a 10-year-old boy from Westchester, New York, who was bullied so much that he did not want to go to school for several months.
Gianlukas ‘Lukas’ Illescas died by suffocation on May 25 after what his father said was months of taunting that was completely ignored by Hillcrest Elementary officials.
Christian Illescas, Lukas’ father, appeared on Tuesday alongside other distraught parents to summon the school district for not listening to their concerns.
‘Haven’t you had time? Five minutes,’ the grieving father asked, explaining that he had asked for help. ‘I don’t know how you can sleep. I do not know how.’
Relatives said the 10-year-old boy had begged to let him miss school prior to Lukas’ death, they said. local media outlets.
Police are investigating the suicide of 10-year-old Gianlukas ‘Lukas’ Illescas, who was reportedly bullied so much that he did not want to go to school for several months
Christian Illescas, Lukas’ father, along with other distraught parents, showed up at a Tuesday school board meeting to call out the district for not listening to their concerns.
In a post shared Tuesday, the Peekskill Police Chief confirmed they are investigating the young boy’s ‘tragic’ death
In a post shared Tuesday, the Peekskill Police Chief confirmed they are investigating the young boy’s “tragic” death.
“This tragic event is still under active investigation and no definitive conclusions have been reached,” said Chief Leo Dylweski.
“Please continue to support the Illescas family during this difficult time,” he wrote.
The post didn’t stop dozens of angry parents and family members from coming to the school board meeting on Tuesday to demand answers.
At one point, Lukas’ father took the stage and yelled at school administrators while showing a picture of his son on his phone.
‘Look! Look!’ the father implored the board members passionately.
Other parents stepped in to support the father and voice their own concerns about their children’s safety at school and in the district.
“All these parents are here. There are witnesses,” said one mother.
And we can’t take that anymore. A 10-year-old child had to suffer through negligence? Because you didn’t take your time?’ she continued.
Local families poured into the gathering and stood outside in T-shirts with the boy’s face on them and holding signs reading “Justice for Lukas.”
The Westchester Medical Examiner ruled that Lukas’ cause of death was accidental asphyxia.
Relatives said that prior to Lukas’ death, the 10-year-old boy had begged his relatives to allow him to miss school, they told local media.
Dozens of angry parents and family members showed up at the school board meeting on Tuesday to demand answers from the district regarding Lukas’ death and his harassment
Local families poured into the gathering and stood outside in T-shirts with the boy’s face on them and holding signs reading ‘Justice For Lukas’
A sign outside the Peekskill City Schools building reads: ‘We are a caring school community’
a GoFundMe was founded by Christian and is trying to help cover the costs of Lukas’ funeral and other memorial plans.
Since the fundraiser went online on May 29, it has raised more than $14,000.
Several people who have donated have left comments sharing their heartbreak over Lukas’ death and the situation surrounding it.
“So sorry for losing you, Beautiful Boy,” one wrote. “I remember his smile from school shows. I can only send you hope and love to get through these difficult days without him.”
Relatives who spoke to WABC said they will remember Lukas as a loving and energetic boy who shared his light with the world.
“He used to wake up at 5:30 a.m. every day to give me a kiss before I left for work,” his father told ABC News.
‘When I arrived, he was waiting for me at the station. He liked to swim,’ he said.
Christian said he could see the change in Lukas once the bullying started and now he just seeks justice for his son and protection for other children.
‘I have nothing to lose. My son is gone. So all I want now is justice for other children,” Christian told the local newspaper.
‘I have nothing to lose. My son is gone. So all I want right now is justice for other kids,” Christian said
Relatives who spoke to WABC said they will remember Lukas (pictured) as a loving and energetic boy who shared his light with the world
“All these parents are here. There are witnesses,” an angry mother said at the meeting
In a letter to the school communitythe Peekskill School District superintendent said he is aware of the situation and is working diligently to address concerns.
“It is important to me to respond to allegations of inappropriate behavior in our schools,” Dr. David Maurice. “As a district, we work closely with our students and families to address inappropriate behavior.”
“We carefully review school records, communications and other interactions to ensure allegations of misconduct are answered appropriately and in a timely manner,” Mauricio continued.