Juvenile Charged In Online Prank After 11-Year-Old’s Suicide

A juvenile is facing computer-related crimes charges after a prank went too far and an 11-year-old boy from Marquette, Michigan, committed suicide, authorities said. In the prank, perpetrated on social media posts and in text messages, the unnamed juvenile indicated the boy’s 13-year-old girlfriend had killed herself, according to media reports.

Tysen Benz, 11, died Tuesday at University of Michigan Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor, his mother, Katrina Goss, said. He had been on life support for three weeks after he hanged himself in his bedroom on March 14, according to his mother.

In a news release Thursday, Marquette city police Capt. Michael Kohler said a juvenile, whose age and relationship to the victim haven’t been disclosed, has been charged with telecommunication services-malicious use and using a computer to commit a crime.

Of the girlfriend, Goss, 41, told the Associated Press that she “pranked her own death.”

“I don’t know what possessed her to do such a weird prank,” Goss said. “It’s a twisted, sick joke.”

Goss told CBS News that her son even said that he was going to kill himself, yet the girl and her friends “didn’t make any attempt to call m or someone else to stop him.”

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Goss told the New York Post that though those behind the “horrific prank” may be adolescents, they should be held legally responsible.

“I feel like, yeah, they’re young and all that… you’re completely knowledgeable of your choices and you know right from wrong,” she told The Post. “You can make your own choices.”

Before his death, Goss had begged her son to stop contacting the girl and told CBS she “even messaged the parent and aunt to no avail.” She believes they met at school.

She said her son’s death should serve as a chilling reminder to parents about the dangers of unmonitored social media. Doing so is not an invasion of privacy, she told CBS, but a way for parents to keep track of their children’s friends and social media contacts.

“Social media harassment, bullying and pranking is a huge issue,” Goss told AP. “The way it’s used nowadays, kids are desensitized to social media and it really does hurt people.”

A GoFundMe campaign has been established to raise money for medical and funeral expenses, and to combat cyberbullying.

On it, Goss said her son was “loved by everyone he knew and will absolutely never be forgotten.” The fund had raised nearly $36,000 by Friday afternoon.

“Our family is completely heartbroken,” she wrote. “I urge families to speak out, reach out and communicate with your children about life's precious gift and the dangers of the internet and texting and how telecommunications can have the same effects as speaking face to face. I want Tysen to be remembered as he was and all the joy he's brought to everyone. Keep his spirit alive by standing strong and fighting against social media bullying.”

Photo by Japanexperterna.se via Flickr Commons