Boy, 10, Dies After Mimicking Hanging Execution - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Family Ties Forever! · 01-05-2007, 12:28 AM

How terrible.

Quote:

link

Boy, 10, Dies After Mimicking Saddam's Execution

Posted: 9:29 am CST January 4, 2007
Updated: 4:40 pm CST January 4, 2007

Webster, Texas -- Police and family members said a 10-year-old boy who died by hanging himself from a bunk bed was apparently mimicking the execution of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

Sergio Pelico was found dead Sunday in his apartment bedroom, said Webster police Lt. Tom Claunch. Pelico's mother told police he had previously watched a Spanish television station's news report on Saddam's death.

"It appears to be accidental," Claunch said. "Our gut reaction is that he was experimenting."

An autopsy of the fifth-grader's body was pending.

Julio Gustavo, Sergio's uncle, said the boy was a happy and curious child.

He said Sergio had watched TV news with another uncle on Saturday and asked the uncle about Saddam's death.

"His uncle told him it was because Saddam was real bad," Gustavo said. "He (Sergio) said, 'OK.' And that was it."

Sergio's mother, Sara Pelico DeLeon, was at work Sunday while Sergio and other children were under the care of an uncle, Gustavo said. One of the children found Sergio's body in his bedroom.

Police said the boy had tied a slipknot around his neck while on a bunk bed. Police investigators learned that Sergio had been upset about not getting a Christmas gift from his father, but they don't believe the boy intentionally killed himself.

Clinical psychologist Edward Bischof, of California, said children Sergio's age mimic risky behaviors they see on TV -- such as wrestling or extreme sports -- without realizing the dangers. He said TV appeared to be the stimulant in Sergio's case.

"I would think maybe this kid is trying something that he thinks fun to act out without having the emotional and psychological maturity to think the thing through before he acts on it," Bischof said.

"I don't think he thought it was real," Gustavo said of Saddam's hanging. "They showed them putting the noose around his neck and everything. Why show that on TV?"

Sergio's father urged other parents to warn their children not to do what they see on TV. The parents said they believe the media outlets that chose to repeatedly air the video of Saddam's execution were irresponsible.

Family members held a memorial for the boy Wednesday in the apartment complex activity center.

The family is trying to put together enough money to send Sergio's body to Guatemala for burial.

A fund has been set up at Bank of America. Donations can made at any branch in the name of Sergio Pelico.

Copyright 2007 by Click2Houston.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved.

Jo_Luvs_Ketchup · 01-05-2007, 12:32 AM

Oh god.

Ireneparalegal · 01-05-2007, 12:32 AM

I seen that on the news earlier. So so sad and horrible.

Lex Luthor · 01-05-2007, 12:38 AM

Tragic, how terribly sad.

It does make you wonder if we are desensitizing (sp?) kids too much, too young with what we allow them to see.

Hollow · 01-05-2007, 02:53 AM

that's terribly sad.

canuckkidd · 01-05-2007, 10:04 AM

Wow, that is terrible

bossradio93 · 01-05-2007, 10:50 AM

Very sad story, here's Yahoo!'s story.

Yahoo! News/AP-January 4, 2007

rusyd · 01-05-2007, 07:23 PM

I heard this story on the radio. How tragic.

Superstar · 01-05-2007, 07:39 PM

Wow

Courtnee · 01-05-2007, 07:51 PM

terrible.

80sTrivia · 01-05-2007, 07:59 PM

What a horrific tragedy...

TheHappyBurgerMeister · 01-05-2007, 08:42 PM

how sad and very unfortunate. I knew it was a bad idea to release the video of Saddam and show it all over the internet and tv.

freshprinceofLA · 01-05-2007, 08:48 PM

thats all I can say

Auntie · 01-06-2007, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freshprinceofLA

thats all I can say

Kids at that age, just don't think.

FOLrocks1 · 01-08-2007, 12:52 PM

It's really sad.

01-05-2007, 12:32 AM	#3
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	I seen that on the news earlier. So so sad and horrible.
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01-05-2007, 12:38 AM	#4
Lex Luthor I'm bringing Lexy back Senior Member Join Date: Jun 07, 2005 Location: The Great White North Posts: 2,374	Tragic, how terribly sad. It does make you wonder if we are desensitizing (sp?) kids too much, too young with what we allow them to see.
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01-05-2007, 10:50 AM	#7
bossradio93 Game Show Fanatic! Senior Member Join Date: Nov 01, 2004 Location: Bellflower, California Posts: 2,392	Boy hangs himself after watching Saddam Very sad story, here's Yahoo!'s story. Yahoo! News/AP-January 4, 2007
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01-05-2007, 07:51 PM	#10
Courtnee MAN VS SAMMICH. Forum Star Join Date: Mar 23, 2005 Location: Louisiana Posts: 16,413	terrible.
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01-05-2007, 07:59 PM	#11
80sTrivia Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2002 Posts: 21,714	What a horrific tragedy...
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01-05-2007, 12:32 AM	#2
Jo_Luvs_Ketchup Member Eternal Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 09, 2003 Posts: 4,195	Oh god.

01-05-2007, 02:53 AM	#5
Hollow Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 16, 2001 Posts: 30,406	that's terribly sad.

01-05-2007, 10:04 AM	#6
canuckkidd :) Senior Member Join Date: Oct 02, 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 1,065	Wow, that is terrible

01-05-2007, 07:23 PM	#8
rusyd Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Mar 30, 2004 Posts: 13,505	I heard this story on the radio. How tragic.

01-05-2007, 07:39 PM	#9
Superstar Member Forum Icon Join Date: Dec 08, 2003 Posts: 63,316	Wow

01-05-2007, 08:42 PM	#12
TheHappyBurgerMeister Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 23, 2002 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 2,209	how sad and very unfortunate. I knew it was a bad idea to release the video of Saddam and show it all over the internet and tv.
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01-05-2007, 08:48 PM	#13
freshprinceofLA The Bosses Senior Member Join Date: Aug 09, 2005 Location: A small town in: Los Angeles, California Posts: 2,810	thats all I can say
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01-08-2007, 12:52 PM	#15
FOLrocks1 My favorite ladies! Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 09, 2001 Location: Ohio Posts: 4,103	It's really sad.
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