DELAWARE, Ohio — It’s difficult to talk about. It’s impossible to understand.
His name is Ethan.
The 13-year-old sixth grade student at Dempsey Middle School is described by his mother, Kassi Canfield, as kind and giving. He loved anime, video games, reading and he loved helping others.
“I’ve seen him do it,” Canfield said. “He gave some little boy his hoodie because he was cold.”
Ethan, a member of the LGBTQ community, Canfield says, had struggled with depression.
This past Monday, 13-year-old Ethan Jacobsen ended his life.
“I’m a mixture of angry that it happened because it shouldn’t have,” she said. “Then, a mixture of sad because I don’t have my little boy anymore. He was my baby.”
In the days after his death Canfield says she has reason to believe Ethan might also have been a victim of bullying.
“[A] couple of his friends said that he was bullied at school,” she said.
Delaware City Schools says neither Ethan nor his family filed a complaint. Canfield says that’s because she didn’t know and that Ethan never talked about it.
“I can guarantee if I’d known about it I would not have been quiet,” she said.
In a statement, Superintendent Heidi Kegley tells 10TV “We encourage any student who is struggling, whether with home or school issues, to talk to a trusted school adult.”
The district also has a monitored, round-the-clock Safe Schools hotline where concerns and threats can be reported anonymously.
Superintendent Kegley’s entire statement can be read below.
“Because my son’s voice was taken from him,” Canfield said. “And I want to give it back.”
Canfield wants people to get angry and speak up, as well as to know mental health, resources and bullying are all problems that are often overlooked. She also says those who are guilty of bullying have no clue just how much harm it causes.
“He was such a great kid,” she said. “He was a light that was snuffed out way too soon.”
“Was.” A heavy three letter word that is difficult to say and impossible to understand.
Canfield started an online fundraiser to help with funeral costs. Originally, she said she was hoping to raise $2,500. As of Thursday afternoon donations have topped $24,000.
Jacobsen’s services are scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 15 at Schoedinger in Dublin from 2 to 3 p.m. with visitation after from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The following is the entire statement from Delaware City Schools Superintendent, Heidi Kegley:
“Our entire school community is saddened by the death of our sixth grade student, Ethan. His family remains in our thoughts and in our hearts. We continue to provide resources to our students and staff as they deal with a wide range of emotions and grief. We were fortunate to have the therapy dog visit our school on Tuesday, and our school counselors continue to check in with students. We have partnered with Syntero for additional counseling support and will have them available as long as needed.
During times of grief, we all search for answers and seek resources to prevent these types of tragedies from occurring. We encourage any student who is struggling, whether with home or school issues, to talk to a trusted school adult. We also have a Safe Schools hotline where school concerns or threats can be reported anonymously (Call or Text 844-SAFEROH (844-723-3764). The hotline is monitored at all times.
We will continue to wrap around Ethan’s family and our student body to provide support in the upcoming days, weeks and months.”