The Youngest Victims

Suicide is the 12th leading cause of death, claiming more lives each year than murder. In 2020, more than 1.2 million attempted suicides occurred in the world; 45,979 were successful. Younger people now commit suicide at higher rates than older adults.

It's concerning when anyone takes their life, especially a child, and a clear sign we need more mental health services accessible to everyone. They should feel comfortable enough to reach out when something is wrong.

In this blog, we'll look at the youngest known suicide victims in the U.S. and how adults can help children who may feel suicidal or depressed.

Samantha Kuberski

The youngest known suicide victim is 6-year-old Samantha Kuberski who died after she hung herself with a belt from a crib after she was sent to her room. She killed herself five days before her 7th birthday.

Police in the Kuberksi case conducted a complete investigation and did not suspect the parents of any wrongdoing. Their findings concluded that Samantha was a happy little girl who never suffered abuse.

They also said they do not think the girl realized that she was taking her own life. She had made statements about killing herself in the past and her parents said she knew the dangers of putting a belt around her neck.

"The disagreement is a little more philosophical than it is material to the case," McMinnville police Capt. Dennis Marks said. "It's not that we disagree with the mechanics of what happened. It's the finding that a 6-year-old could form that kind of intent."

Jamel Myles

At age 9, Jamel Myles of Denver, Colorado, took his own life after months of relentless bullying from his peers because he was gay. Suicide amongst 10 - 14-year-old children in the LBGT+ community has more than doubled since 2014.

"Please we are all different and thats what makes us the same because we all have 1 thing in common we're all different that's what makes this world beautiful. I want justice for my son and every kid who is bullied. I want bullying to end I never want to hear someone else go thru this pain," Jamel’s mother, Leia Pierce wrote in a public Facebook post after the tragic loss of her son.

Razy Sellars

In May 2018, the parents of 10-year-old Razy Sellars of Akron, Ohio, left him home while they attended one of his older brother’s baseball games. When they returned home that evening at about 9 p.m., Razy was dead, found by his parents hanging in his brother's closet.

Razy’s mom said her son had gotten into trouble at his new school several times, including an incident for fighting. He seemed depressed, she recalled. The mother also said she attempted to get him into therapy but could not get an appointment until June.

It was too late.

Gabriel Taye

In 2017, 8-year-old Gabriel Taye, a second-grader at Carson Elementary School in West Cincinnati, committed suicide two days after students physically assaulted him at school.

The assault was captured on surveillance camera at the school. In the video, Gabriel walks into the bathroom and reaches out to shake hands with another student. That child pushed Gabriel into a restroom wall, and then Gabriel fell to the ground. That student disappears from the video, but several other students can be seen kicking and poking at him for six minutes before an assistant principal arrives.

The school did not tell his mother Gabriel had been assaulted but did call her to pick him up from school after he fainted.

The next day, Gabriel hanged himself.

Cornelia Reynolds, Taye’s mother, said in a statement to the media after her son’s tragic death:

“I am my son’s voice, and it will be heard. It is my obligation to make sure that this will never happen again. No, this will not go away. People need to know the truth and help fix this epidemic in our society by spreading awareness and speaking up. Parents: It is OK to tell your children to reach for help when someone is hurting them, whether it is at school, outside, home, or anywhere.”

What Parents Can Do to Help Their Children

Adults sometimes feel children should 'stay in their place,' often forgetting that no matter how young, the child is a human being with feelings. When children trust you enough to talk about issues weighing heavy on their minds, listen to them in a supportive manner. Being a kid is hard in this world, especially without a trusted adult to turn to.

Take a look at a few ways parents can help their children or even other kids.

Step in When Signs Suggest a Problem

Kids can be moody sometimes. They have sad days and sometimes days when they’re ornery or plain buttheads. But, children who experience major mood changes that do not go away may suffer from depression. Talk to your child about how they feel. Listen to what they say and be practical in your advice and actions about their feelings and emotions.

Know The Danger Signs

Certain events in life can trigger depressive and even suicidal thoughts. These events include the death of a loved one or a friend, racism, homophobia, bullying, and a history of suicide in the family. Pay closer attention after these events or when the circumstances apply to your children.

Be Kind and Understanding

Kids often keep their emotions to themselves because they feel like they’ll be met with anger or hard feelings by parents and loved ones. Make sure your children know they can and feel comfortable talking to you about various issues by responding to their needs with kindness and understanding. Really, that’s what we all want in life.

Seek Professional Help

It is better to be safe than to be sorry. If signs suggest that your child is experiencing suicidal thoughts, depression, or other worrisome conditions, seek professional help even when they assure you everything is fine. A professional can help your child deal with the issues that have brought them down and provide them with coping skills and strategies.