Hundreds Mourn 11 Year Old Boy

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By Miranda Grossman

Story Published: Apr 13, 2009 at 7:16 PM EDT

Story Updated: Apr 16, 2009 at 4:50 AM EDT

An 11 year old Springfield boy was laid to rest on Monday. Carl Walker-Hoover took his own life last week after complaining of being bullied at school.

Hundreds gathered by 11 year old Carl Walker-Hoover, as his casket was carried out of the Alden Baptist Church in Springfield. Wearing t-shirts with Carl's photo, his friends and classmates remember him.

"Everybody liked him, I didn't think he would be the one to get bullied," said David Jackson, a fellow classmate at New Leadership.

Last week, Carl's mother found her son hanging from an extension cord in their home.

"I called his name, he didn't answer. I went upstairs and that's when I found Carl. It's unbelievable, worst nightmare experience in my life," said Sirdeanor Walker, Carl's mother.

As a 6th grader at the New Leadership Charter school, his mother says he was the target of bullying at that led to his death.

"It was a sad loss because he was brilliant and a nice young student. For those kids to do what they did was not appropriate, shouldn't be happening," said Carlos Gonzalez , a friend of Carl's.

Others who came to the funeral didn't know Carl, but have suffered through the same bullying experiences with their own kids. Betty White's son was bullied at New Leadership also. She took him out of that school, but says something needs to be done.

"The children first of all need to have a sense of security. Bullying should not be tolerated," said White.

Fellow students say this tragedy has changed things. An attitude that came too late for Carl, but will hopefully help other children who are bullied.

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KATINA WROTE said on Wednesday, Apr 29 at 12:03 PM

THIS IS A SHAME IN OUR SCHOOL IN SYSTEMS THAT SCHOOL AND TEACHERS ,STAFF ADMIMNISTRATORS SHOULD BE THE BLAME FOR THIS TRAGEDY YES MAY JESUS CHRIST BE A BLESS TO WALKER'S FAMILY.JESUS CHRIST WILL PREVAIL IN THIS SITUATION,EVERY THING WILL COME ,BECAUSE JESUS CHRIST WILL PREVAIL .

Anonymous said on Wednesday, Apr 29 at 11:55 AM

MY PRAYERS GOES OUT TO THE WALKERS FAMILY.THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPENED IN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM.THE TEACHERS,STAFFS AND THE ADMINISTRATORS SHOULD BE BLAME FOR THIS TRAGEDY.A LITTLE BOY WHO COMPLAINED NUMEROUS TIMES AND THINGS DID NOT HAPPEN.YES THE THE SCHOOL SHOULD PAY FOR THIS FAMILY LOSS ,BECAUSE THEY DID NOTHING TO HELP THIS FAMILY,BUT JESUS CHRIST LOOKS HIGH AND LOW CARL JESUS WILL PREVAIL,I'M PRAYING FOR THE WALKERS EVERYDAY AND ALL DAY FOR JUSTICE TO BE DONE.MAY JESUS CHRIST TRULY BE A BLESS

Carl, Sr. (Ohio) said on Thursday, Apr 23 at 1:36 PM

My heart goes out to this family and all children who are needlessly bullied. I, too, suffered from bullying from school children. I am over 40 years old, and the tauntings still haunt my memories. Children are not the only victims, adults suffer from name calling, from co-workers, neighbors. church members, and everyday people who judge just by appearances. I pray your strength and comfort. Those who contributed should be held responsible for this tragedy: the kids and their parents.

Amezz said on Thursday, Apr 23 at 12:52 PM

I've been bullied throughout Elementary school and having that I was a sensitive kid, it made me very depressed beyond belief..I was even thinking about suicide... What is just as sad is, teachers see whats going on but they just stand and watch it happen..I dont understand why and how they have the heart to..but tahts what they do..and its disgusting...R.I.P to Carl...and I hope bullying will soon end

Douglas - Los Angeles said on Friday, Apr 17 at 10:42 PM

Sad beyond belief. Churches allow this to happen because they teach hate of gay people.

Ms.Lexus said on Friday, Apr 17 at 8:04 AM

I Truely Am Sorry To Hear This Story It Is Sad That Kids Still Pick On Children,&With Me Being A 10Th Grade Student This Kills Me Inside,

why... said on Thursday, Apr 16 at 11:55 PM

as a teacher, I want to hear what the students have to say...the students who made the threats and the comments teasing Carl...why...

dee said on Thursday, Apr 16 at 6:07 PM

I am looking for anyone who knows about a rally or a march concerning this tragedy. Or even help to organize one. As a parent of children that go to school in Springfield, I am fed up with the same issues every year of bullying and getting nowhere after making several complaints to both the school and the police. My heart goes out to this family and may God Bless not only this precious child but all the innocent children of our city.

Darlene said on Thursday, Apr 16 at 1:17 AM

This is a very sad thing thats happened. My prayers go out to Sweet Carl and his family. To hear this breaks my heart as i have a son that is constantly being bullied at school and with many of my complaints it continues. He hates to go to school because of this. I feel for the family. God Bless you all!!!!

Sally Gregovich said on Wednesday, Apr 15 at 10:56 PM

I got sick to my stomach and cried when I heard this story. May God help the Walkers get through this nightmare. An innocent child, 11 years old, having kids at school make his little life so miserable that he would want to take his own life. Shame to every teacher, employee and classmates who let something like this go on. Where is human kindness. This should of never happened, little Carl was a beautiful human being. My heart cries out for the family and for justice!!!!

wjmiles said on Wednesday, Apr 15 at 7:23 PM

Maybe those bullies should be held responsible for what they led this poor little boy do. I hope This haunts them the rest of their lives.

thegoogler said on Monday, Apr 13 at 11:44 PM

He has such a sweet smile. So angelic. It's a shame that the bullies survive (and he does not). Poor little Carl Walker-Hoover could've done more good for this earth than his tormentors.

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