Bullied teen taken off life support
A gay 15 year-old from Oregon, USA has been taken off life support after hanging himself on a school’s playground equipment.
Jadin Bell (pictured) reportedly climbed on the playground structure at Central Elementary School in La Grande and had hanged himself before someone passing by tried to rescue him.
He was taken to Portland and Doernbecher Children’s Hospital when his family joined his side.
His family said he had been the target of bullying over his sexuality.
The La Grande Observer reported almost 200 people attended a vigil for the La Grande High School student on January 23.
Bell was a cheerleader for his school and a school parent at the vigil said cheerleading reflected his “outgoing, colourful personality”.
Friends and classmates said the teenager was a “gentle, caring person” and cared about the people around him.
La Grande High School junior Frankie Benitez said Bell was someone who never forgot his friends.
“Jadin is one of the best people I have ever met. He makes everyone around him feel good all the time,” she told the Observer.
“Jadin always remembers people no matter what.
“If I felt bad, I would hang out with him and he would say something small like, ‘I love your sweater.’ He notices things you didn’t think anyone notices.”
Lifeline: 13 11 14 / Kid’s Helpline: 1800 55 1800 / Headspace website
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