A child in Texas died by suicide during an online game following alleged cyberbullying, authorities said.
A boy in Michigan was identified as the suspect and "pled true to a felony charge of aiding suicide and a misdemeanor charge of harassment causing death," the Montgomery County Precinct 3 Constable’s Office said in a statement Friday.
Authorities withheld the names of the children because of their ages.
The investigation began in January when deputies were called to a home in the Lockeridge Farms subdivision in the Houston area for a report of a suicide, the agency said. The child was still wearing a gaming headset and "appeared to be online at or around the time of their death," authorities said.
Detectives identified the suspect through search warrants and interviews with members of an online gaming community in different states. The case was presented to the Montgomery County Attorney’s Office for review.
Prosecutors said the 16-year-old suspect allegedly harassed the victim until the child committed suicide, KHOU-TV of Houston reported. The suspect took a plea deal and will remain on probation until he is 18, the station reported.
"The Montgomery County Precinct 3 Constable’s Office takes investigations regarding cyberbullying seriously and will continue to investigate these cases to the fullest extent," the office said.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or chat live at 988lifeline.org. You can also visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional support.
