Police are investigating the possible suicide of a 10-year-old New York boy who was bullied so badly he didn’t want to go to school for several months.
Gianlukas ‘Lukas’ Illescas, from Westchester, died by asphyxiation on May 25 after what his dad said was months of taunting that went completely ignored by Hillcrest Elementary officials.
Christian Illescas, Lukas’ father, appeared alongside other distraught parents on Tuesday to call out the school district for not listening to their concerns.
‘You didn’t have time? Five minutes,’ the grieving father asked, sharing that he had reached out for help. ‘I don’t know how you can sleep. I don’t know how.’
Family members said that prior to Lukas’ death, the 10-year-old boy had begged to allow him to miss school, they told local media outlets.
Police are investigating the suicide of 10-year-old Gianlukas ‘Lukas’ Illescas who was reportedly bullied so badly he didn’t want to go to school for several months
Christian Illescas, Lukas’ father, appeared alongside other distraught parents at a Tuesday school board meeting t0 call out the district for not listening to their concerns
In a post shared on Tuesday, the Peekskill Police Department’s chief confirmed they are looking into the ‘tragic’ death of the young boy
In a post shared on Tuesday, the Peekskill Police Department’s chief confirmed they are looking into the ‘tragic’ death of the young boy.
‘This tragic event is still actively being investigated, and no definitive conclusions have been made,’ Chief Leo Dylweski shared.
‘Please continue to support the Illescas family during this difficult time,’ he wrote.
The post did not stop dozens of angry parents and family members from showing up to Tuesday’s school board meeting to demand answers.
At one point, Lukas’ father took the podium and yelled at school board members while showing a picture of his son on his phone.
‘Look! Look!’ the father pleaded with to the board members passionately.
Other parents stepped in to back up the father and voice their own concerns over their children’s safety at the school and in the district.
‘All these parents are here. There are witnesses,’ one mother said.
‘And we are not taking that anymore. A 10-year-old child had to suffer because of negligence? Because you didn’t take time?’ she continued.
Local families piled into the meeting and stood outside wearing tee-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 asphyxiation.
Family members said that prior to Lukas’ death, the 10-year-old boy had begged his family members to allow him to miss school, they told local media outlets
Dozens of angry parents and family members showed up to Tuesday’s school board meeting to demand answers from the district in regard to Lukas’ death and his bullying
Local families piled into the meeting and stood outside wearing tee-shirts with the boy’s face on them and holding signs reading ‘Justice For Lukas’
A sign outside of the Peekskill City Schools’ building reads: ‘We are a caring school community’
A GoFundMe was started by Christian and seeks to help cover the cost of Lukas’ funeral and other memorial plans.
Since going online on May 29, the fundraiser has brought in over $14,000.
Several people who have donated have left comments sharing their heartbreak over Lukas’ death and the situation surrounding it.
‘I am so sorry for the loss of you Beautiful Boy,’ one person wrote. ‘I remember his smile from school shows. I can only send you hope and love to make it through these difficult days without him.’
Family members who spoke with WABC said they will remember Lukas as a loving and energetic boy who shared his light with the world.
‘He was waking up at 5:30 in the morning every day to give me a kiss before I go to work,’ his father told ABC News.
‘When I was coming, he was waiting for me at the station. He loved to swim,’ he said.
Christian said he could see the change in Lukas’ once the bullying began and now he is just looking for justice for his son and protections for other children.
‘I have nothing to lose. My son is gone. So, all I want now is justice for other kids,’ Christian told the local outlet.
‘I have nothing to lose. My son is gone. So, all I want now is justice for other kids,’ Christian said
Family members who spoke with 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,’ one angry mother said during the meeting
In a letter to the school community, the Peekskill School District superintendent said he is aware of the situation and is working diligently to address concerns.
‘I believe it is important for me to respond to allegations of inappropriate behaviors in our schools,’ wrote Dr. David Mauricio. ‘As a district, we work closely with our students and families to address inappropriate behaviors.’
‘We are carefully reviewing school records, communications, and any other interactions to ensure allegations of misconduct are responded to properly and in a timely manner,’ Mauricio continued.
