Wake middle school’s pupils sent home after student is found dead on campus
Updated with mother of student talking about her son’s death.
Wendell Middle School students were dismissed early on Tuesday after a student died on campus from a suicide.
Wendell Middle parents received a note Tuesday morning saying that students were being dismissed at 10:45 a.m. due to a “medical crisis” on campus. A Tuesday afternoon update from the principal said that an 8th-grade male student had died but did not give a cause.
Citing federal privacy law, Wake County school officials said they could not provide details about the “medical crisis” without the consent of the student’s family. But Jessica Pendergrass, the mother of the 13-year-old student, confirmed her son had committed suicide.
“I really hope that this can bring some awareness to other parents to check on their kids, be mean, go through their social media, go through their phones and find out what’s going on,” Pendergrass said in an interview with ABC11, The News & Observer’s media partner.
Pendergrass released red balloons in honor of her son Austin on Wednesday night at Knightdale Station Park. Pendergrass said her son was the victim of bullying at school and attempted to harm himself at school last week.
Catherine Trudell, the school’s principal, told parents that support resources would be available on Wednesday to help students.
‘See something, say something’
The death occurred the same day that the Wake County school board received a presentation on suicide awareness as part of a look at the district’s school mental health improvement plan.
“Some of our schools are getting some unique challenges this week,” board chairwoman Lindsay Mahaffey said at the start of Tuesday’s regular meeting. “Although intentionally vague, I do want to to lift them up and know that we’re thinking of them and holding them in our hearts.”
Board member Monika Johnson-Hostler was more direct, saying she felt a pit in her stomach about what happened. Johnson-Hostler said that she had considered removing references to September being Suicide Prevention Month from her remarks but left them in given what had happened Tuesday.
“All the love to the family and the community today,” Johnson-Hostler said during board comments. “Thank you all who have sent notes saying I can’t imagine what it’s like to be a school board member today.”
If you or someone you are concerned about is at risk, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by texting or dialing 988. Or call 1-800-273-TALK. The National Alliance of Mental Illness North Carolina also offers virtual support groups and programming across the state.
This story was originally published September 6, 2022 at 4:24 PM with the headline "Wake middle school’s pupils sent home after student is found dead on campus."
