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Mississippi 6th grader commits suicide over bullying

Andrew Michael Leach's mother claims bullying runs rampant at his middle school.
Andrew Leach is shown in a a social media post in this photo of a computer monitor (Photo: Clarion Ledger)

Andrew Michael Leach, a sixth grade Southaven Middle School student, committed suicide after enduring bullying.

Andrew's mother, Cheryl Hudson, told WREG that on March 6, the 12-year-old left a note for his family then hanged himself. His 16-year-old brother found the body. The teen says he is also being bullied.

Hudson claims bullying runs rampant at Southaven Middle School.

“A few years ago there was a young girl who hung herself from a water tower due to bullying,” she said. “There have been several attempts since then with other kids.”

Hudson said she spoke to the sixth grade principal about the bullying. She said she didn’t know how to handle it. Andrew's father spoke to a teacher, also, Hudson added.

"But from what we are hearing, there was a group of kids that would go around calling him fat, ugly and worthless,” Hudson said.

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A GoFundMe account has been set up to help the family.

Andrew's funeral was Friday.

Contact Harold Gater at 601-961-7368 or hgater@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter.

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