Parents: Students involved in 'suicide pact' at middle school

GARRETT, Ind. (WANE) UPDATE: On Monday Nov. 19 there will be a meeting for parents of students at Garret Middle School to address the rumors of a 'suicide pact.' It will be at 6 p.m. in the school's Performing Arts Center.

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Several parents are concerned that students at Garrett Middle School have become involved in a "suicide pact."

NewsChannel 15 received multiple reports via Report !t from concerned parents throughout the course of the week.

According to parents, their children have told them that as part of this pact, a different child signs up each week and tries to commit suicide. Apparently, this is expected to continue once a week until Christmas break.

One parent told NewsChannel 15 she found out about the pact from another parent.

"My son's friend, her parents contacted me and asked if I knew about it and when I told them I didn't, I asked my son, and he only knew bits and pieces," said Mandy Gallaher who has a son in eighth grade at Garrett Middle School.

Gallaher said said she was upset because she found out the news from another parent rather than the school district.

"They should have sent letters or called to let every parent know what was going on in school," said Gallaher.

When contacted about the possible suicide pact, Superintendent of Garrett-Keyser-Butler Community Schools Dennis Stockdale did confirm that two students who recently tried to commit suicide are okay and getting the help they need.

He also released the following statement:

Recently, we received reports about a possible suicide pact among a few students at Garrett Middle School. We are conducting an ongoing investigation and have interviewed over 30 students and parents. To this date, we are unable to substantiate the rumor of a suicide pact. However, we take these rumors serious and will continue to investigate any information we receive about possible harm to students. We are working with local law enforcement and counselors from the Northeastern Center regarding this issue. I encourage anyone with information to please contact the school or local law enforcement.

Superintendent Stockdale said he does have a plan to address the situation before students and parents.

Calls to Garrett Police have not been returned.