Family Rallies Against Bullying at Elementary School After 10-Year-Old Boy Commits Suicide

The family of 10-year-old student Gianlukas Illescas is mourning his tragic death by suicide after he suffered “harsh” bullying at Hillcrest Elementary School in Peekskill, New York.

His father Christian Illescas describes how his son would “come home crying” after being bullied for six months. Even worse, Illescas attempted to get the school involved but says they “didn’t do anything” to stop it.

The heartbroken father describes the bullying as so intense his son “didn’t want to go back to school.” Illescas told Univision that bullies would call his son “weird, fat, ugly, creepy” and that his “shoes were like a homeless person’s shoes.”

Now, he questions why the school didn’t do more before the tragedy occurred. Even more, parents at the school are questioning the same thing — and organizing protests to get answers.

Illescas said bullies took away his 10-year-old son’s computer and musical instrument, but the school “didn’t do anything”

The father told Univision, “[After the bullying], he would come home crying. He didn’t want to go back to school.”

When he became aware of the harsh treatment his son was enduring, Illescas says he went straight to school officials. He explained, “The first thing I did was go to school, but no one paid attention to me. They told me they were going to call, but no one called me.”

Shockingly, he said the school didn’t even intervene when bullies stole Gianlukas’ prized possessions.

“They took away my son’s computer two months. They took away my son’s musical instrument,” he said. “And they didn’t do anything. And when there was bullying, they suspended him.”

Tragically, Gianlukas took his own life while staying with his grandfather when his dad was not at home.

Per another Univision report, Gianlukas is remembered as a 10-year-old boy who loved playing in the park, swimming, making music, and spending time with his grandparents. His grandmother Blanca Bustamante recalls how the boy always picked flowers and gave them to her.

Talking about his son’s situation at the school, the mourning father teared up: “They don’t listen to kids there. No one does anything.”

Parents at the school organized a protest in response to the bullying and tragic suicide

As reported by News 12, the parents of students at Hillcrest Elementary School organized a protest at the Peekskill School Board meeting on Tuesday.

Protesters wore shirts with Gianlukas’ face, while his father blamed the school’s alleged inaction. “They say they can’t help me because they’re too busy.” Illescas is now calling for the firing of staff due to “negligence.”

Both News 12 and Univision report that other parents agree there is an issue with bullying at the school.

The school responded, “We are deeply saddened, and now, our focus is helping our school community to cope with their pain.”

The statement continued, “Even if this incident did not occur on school property, we are working with local police and waiting for their findings.”

Tragically, Gianlukas’ father was hoping to transfer him out of the school this year. “It was too late.”

A GoFundMe has been set up for the family mourning the 10-year-old’s tragic death. Named “Justice For Lukas,” the page is quickly gaining traction with people demanding a change.

The father explained on the page, “Let us show a unified front to protect our children from senseless neglect from school administration and harsh bullying.”

He continued, “Our children deserve to feel safe and heard at school.” Adding, “Bullying is responsible for the death of a 10-year-old child! Lukas was robbed of his future.”

Donations will help cover the boy’s funeral costs, family relocation, “and anything else the family needs to get back on their feet.”

If you are considering suicide, call 800-273-8255 or text TALK to 741741.