Denver mom says 9-year-old son committed suicide after being bullied

A Denver mom wants to shine a light on bullying after her nine-year-old son took his life.

Leia Pierce found her son dead in their Denver home on Thursday. Pierce said her son, Jamel Myles, killed himself after being bullied.

Pierce’s son had recently come out as gay. Pierce says after Jamel told his classmates, they bullied him into taking his own life.

“He looked so scared when he told me. He was like Mom I’m gay. And I thought he was playing, so I looked back because I was driving, and he was all curled up, so scared. And I said, I still love you,” Pierce said.

According to KDVR, Pierce said Jamel wanted to tell his classmates.

“He went to school and said he was gonna tell people he’s gay because he’s proud of himself.”

It was only four days into the new school year when Jamel took his life.

“I could just imagine what they said to him. My son told my oldest daughter the kids at school told him to kill himself. I’m just sad he didn’t come to me,” Pierce said.

Pierce now wants to spread awareness about the effects of bullying.

“We should have accountability for bullying. I think the child should. Because the child knows it’s wrong. The child wouldn’t want someone to do it to them. I think the parent should be held because obviously the parents are either teaching them to be like that, or they’re treating them like that.”

Denver Public Schools sent a letter home to families a day after the tragedy. The school district said it was providing extra social workers and a crisis team for students.

The district also said it will continue to offer support to the family.

For suicide prevention resources click here.