Warning: This article discusses suicide.
The heartbroken parents of a 10-year-old boy whose suicide attempt left him brain-dead believe his primary school failed him.
Landen Lewis tried to take his own life in his hometown of Nevada, Missouri last week after returning home from school.
His unsuspecting mother, Britany, and stepfather Jon had no idea Landen was suffering, revealing he appeared "giddy" in the lead-up to his attempt.
Now they are preparing to switch off his life support and use his organs to help other children, which Landen had previously expressed an interest in, Fox News reports.
In recent days, his parents claim to have been told by Landen's friends that he was being picked on by teachers.
His mother Britany posted a touching tribute to her son on Facebook, expressing her disappointment that her "beautiful, intelligent baby boy" was a victim of bullying.
"He wanted to take everyone's pain away and he wanted no one to feel alone. My baby was someone who could carry a conversation with you about the universe," she said.
"What happened to my child could have been prevented had everyone just been nice to him once or twice. I can't stop thinking about the' what ifs' but I did the best I could for my baby.
"As parents we trust a school to take our child for 8 hrs a day in these 8 hrs they are supposed to expand our child's mind and help them grow as little humans.
"The school failed my son and I pray no other child has to go through what my little precious boy has.
"Bullying is not okay no matter what age, and grown people should never bully a child.
When Landen was in hospital clinging to life, Britany says the elementary principal called her and said her son had been having trouble at school.
"I didn't even know he'd been in trouble three times until the principal had called me and told me that she had pulled him out of class three times and wouldn't tell me why," she told Fox 4.
The school refused to comment on Landen's individual case due to privacy rights.
Britany issued a message for other parents to hug their children tight.
"Love your babies, hold them close and whisper a prayer that no child ever goes through this," she said.
Where to find help and support:
- Need to Talk? - Call or text 1737
- Lifeline - 0800 543 354 or (09) 5222 999 within Auckland
- Youthline - 0800 376 633, text 234, email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat
- Samaritans - 0800 726 666
- Depression Helpline - 0800 111 757
- Suicide Crisis Helpline - 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
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