Four 13-year-old minors will be “tried for school harassment resulting in the suicide » of young Lucas, a teenager of the same age who ended his life in early January in Golbey (Vosges), announced the public prosecutor of Epinal Frédéric Nahon this Friday, January 27.
“Following the opening of the preliminary investigation, four minors were taken into custody by the urban security of the Epinal police station”said Frédéric Nahon in a press release.
“During their hearings, the respondents, two girls and two boys aged 13, educated in the same establishment as Lucas, only admitted to having repeatedly made fun of their comrade”continued the magistrate.
“The CPE tells us that my son has lost consciousness”: four parents tell of the school bullying experienced by their child
Those close to Lucas believe that he committed suicide after being harassed because of his homosexuality.
“The facts took place from September 2022 to the beginning of January 2023”continued the prosecutor. “At the end of their police custody, the four minors were summoned before the Epinal juvenile court to be tried for harassment at school which led to the suicide of the victim, the investigation having established that the harassment could have participate in the passage to the suicidal act of the young Lucas. »
Homophobic mockery and insults
“Presumed innocent, unknown to justice, the four minors will be assessed by the judicial protection of youth before their trial”also made a point of highlighting Frédéric Nahon.
He also announced the opening of a “incidental investigation against X for non-denunciation of ill-treatment of minors”. “Investigations are therefore continuing on this point”he concluded.
“She was alone against all”: the ordeal of Dinah, died at 14, victim of school harassment
Lucas had written in his diary “a word explaining his desire to end his life”Frédéric Nahon had declared at a press conference on January 13.
His relatives revealed in their hearings the existence of mockery and insults of a homophobic nature of which the teenager had said he was the victim of other students at his college, he still underlined.
Lucas was educated at Louis-Armand College in Golbey, where a psychological cell was set up in the days following his suicide. The rectorate had recalled that the establishment was “committed to the PHARe anti-harassment system”. According to the rectorate, the “mockery” reported by Lucas and his mother at the start of the school year had been “immediately taken seriously by the college teams”.
“Immense sadness”
The death of the teenager had caused great emotion and triggered many reactions on social networks. “I think of all the students like him who are harassed: their despair is the basis of my determination to prevent all forms of harassment”had indicated on Twitter the Minister of Education, Pap Ndiaye. “No child should end up with suicide”he was moved.
“Lucas’ suicide is tragic”had also reacted on Twitter SOS Homophobia. “The fight against school bullying must be urgently strengthened. That an establishment approved by [l’Education nationale] failing to respond to many reports is alarming”had still estimated the LGBT + association.
The death of the teenager had also provoked several political reactions. “Homophobia kills. Sadness and support for the family of Lucas”had tweeted the Minister Delegate for Transport, Clément Beaune.
“Our school model is conducive to bullying”
“I am devastated by the death of #Lucas […] This drama must be an opportunity for awareness. Homophobia kills »had declared the First Secretary of the PS, Olivier Faure, on the same social network. “Immense sadness for Lucas […]. We have a duty to fight all forms of homophobia! »had also tweeted the president of the Republicans, Eric Ciotti.
In October 2021, Dinah Gonthier, 14, committed suicide at her home in Kingersheim, in the Haut-Rhin, because according to her family, she was the victim of school harassment. After a first complaint dismissed by the Mulhouse prosecution, the family of the teenager filed a complaint with civil action last November.
This article is about suicide or depression
If you see life in the dark or have suicidal thoughts, this is a warning sign that you should take seriously. Don’t be alone: associations offer benevolent support to people who are depressed or faced with thoughts of suicide, with listening services anonymous and free. The hotline of SOS Friendship is available 24 hours a day at 09 72 39 40 50. the Youth Health Wire also offers 0 800 235 236 a service for 12-25 year olds on the themes of health, sexuality, love, ill-being, etc.
