The mother of a nine-year-old boy who was found hanged in his bedroom has told an inquest that he was bullied at his primary school. Kelly Dugmore said her son, Aaron, had not been happy at Erdington Hall primary school and that she believed another pupil might have suggested he harm himself.
Aaron died in February last year after being found hanging in his bedroom. Despite attempts at resuscitation by his mother and stepfather, he was taken to Birmingham Children's Hospital in cardiac arrest and died the next day from severe brain injuries. The coroner, Louise Hunt, recorded a conclusion of accidental death, stating she could not be sure he intended to take his own life.
Following Aaron's death, his family claimed he was bullied because of his skin colour, leading to a neo-Nazi protest outside the school. However, Detective Inspector Richard Scott of West Midlands Police told the inquest that while there had been some incidents involving different individuals, there was no evidence of systematic bullying.
Birmingham Safeguarding Children Board is conducting a serious case review into Aaron's death. The board's independent chairwoman, Jane Held, said the review was nearly complete and would be shared with Aaron's family to help prevent similar tragedies.
Ms Dugmore described the day of Aaron's death as seemingly normal. He had an argument with a sibling and was sent to his room. When she sent another brother to call him for dinner, he discovered Aaron hanging. Ms Dugmore said she had never had cause for concern that Aaron might take his own life, but since his death it had crossed her mind that a schoolmate might have told him to harm himself.
