Parents seek to close gap in Ohio law, get answers in son’s suicide

UPPER ARLINGTON, Ohio (WCMH) — The parents of a 14-year-old who died by suicide are seeking answers and to change how Ohio schools handle bullying.

“The bullying statute only mandates the schools internally report pursuant to their bullying policies,” Brad Koffel, attorney for the Edell family, said. “What we need is, if you see something, say something.”

Carter Edell, 14, died by suicide on Sept. 23, and Koffel said his death shook the Upper Arlington community. Carter’s parents have reason to believe that bullying may have contributed to his death and have asked Koffel to independently investigate in hopes of getting answers. Steve and Melissa Edell want to make sure other parents don’t go unaware of potential bullying and want to change state law to close the gap between schools and parents.

Koffel said Ohio has laws about mandatory reporting, where teachers and coaches must report things like suspected child abuse or neglect. Ohio’s bullying statute requires bullying to be reported internally at schools, but does not require schools to make anyone else aware. Kofell and the Edells want to change state law to require educators to contact parents about suspected bullying.

“Our son was kind, talented and deeply loved,” the Edells said in a statement. “We are devastated, but we owe it to Carter — and to every family who entrusts their child to a school each day — to determine if our son was a victim of bullying, who knew about it, and if any of them were mandated reporters under Ohio law and failed to let us know — and to ensure it never happens again.”

Koffel said it is difficult to get information from schools due to privacy laws, but he plans to review communications, school records and digital information to investigate if Carter experienced bullying. Koffel said he will also look into how school officials responded to any prior reports of harassment or student safety.

The family said the investigation was by no means an act of retribution, but rather an attempt to raise awareness. They said they want to find the truth and help bring attention to the dangerous effects of bullying.

Upper Arlington Superintendent Robert Hunt said the district will work with the Edell family in “any way possible” to help them get more information.

“We are supportive of the Edell family and their efforts to understand any and all events that may have impacted their son,” Hunt said. “The safety and well-being of our students in the Upper Arlington School District is our top priority. We take any reports of bullying and harassment very seriously and investigate in accordance with Board of Education policy, working closely with the families of students involved.”

The Edells also want to create a statewide toolkit with tips for parents about talking to their kids about bullying. All schools are required by law to have a bullying policy, which staff must be trained on. Although they hope it will be a statewide mandate, Koffel encouraged districts not to wait for the law to change.

“Please don’t wait for Ohio law to change,” Koffel said. “Don’t wait for another young person, to lose the will to live because of bullying and they just don’t have the cognitive ability to withstand that. And, we’d ask you to act immediately.”

Nationwide Children’s Hospital offers resources for parents about possible bullying. The hospital recommends asking open-ended questions and emphasizing that they should always report bullying. Nationwide Children’s said parents should be supportive and praise their child if they open up. If parents notice a major change in their student’s behavior, the hospital recommends considering therapy or external support. The full list of recommendations can be found here.

“You have to be careful about what you say,” Koffel said. “You just don’t know what the other person is going through.”