Parents of 10-year-old Autumn Bushman, a fourth-grader at Roanoke’s Mountain View Elementary School, shared their heartbreak over their daughter’s sudden passing and spoke of the events that led to the tragedy.
Mark and Summer Bushman say they have noticed their daughter’s behavior change weeks prior to her devastating decision to take her own life.
“She was the youngest and probably the wildest,” Autumn’s mother Summer said. “She was a ball full of energy. It didn’t matter if you thought she was going to fall through my living room floor. She was at it with the cartwheels inside of my house at all times.”
The Bushman family told WDBJ that Autumn stared sleeping more, smiled less, and wore clothes darker in color than usual in the weeks preceding the tragedy.
Her obituary said she was a child who had “deep empathy, was soft-hearted, and always ready to lend a listening ear or offer support.”
Sadly, Autumn was a victim of b******g. Her parents allegedly knew about the ordeal their daughter was going through and reported it to the school, but the school didn’t take much action
Students at the school harassed Autumn because she always stood up for others and didn’t stay silent when something felt wrong.
“She was one if somebody was getting b*****d or picked on, she would stand up for them. And unfortunately, that may have made her a target for more b******g,” Summer Bushman said.
Sadly, Autumn wasn’t only target while at school, but through the social media too.
“This is an age where they have tablets and they have phones, so it’s happening around the clock. They can’t really escape,” her dad said.
In a statement to WDBJ, the Roanoke County Public Schools described Autumn’s death as a “tragic loss” and said that they would “stand in support of the family, friends, and Mountain View community.”
“While we cannot discuss the specifics of this situation due to federal privacy laws and out of respect for the family, we are conducting a thorough review. Our schools take all reports of bullying and conflicts among students very seriously”, the statement read.
“Our schools educate students and respond appropriately to specific situations when we are made aware, including working with parents and families of students involved.”
Autumn’s mom is now speaking out in hopes of preventing other families from experiencing the same unimaginable pain. She is urging parents everywhere to stay alert and take action if they notice anything unusual or concerning in their children’s behavior. Sometimes, subtle changes in mood, sleep patterns, or social interactions can be early signs that something deeper is going on — and catching those signs early can make all the difference.
“Go through your child’s cell phone,” she emphasized, “not just to see what they’re doing, but to make sure they are being kind to other children, and just as importantly, to make sure other children are being kind to them.” Her words are a reminder of how essential it is to stay involved in our children’s digital lives, especially in an age where bullying and harmful messages can often go unseen behind screens.
She hopes that no parent will ever ignore a gut feeling or dismiss something that doesn’t feel right. Checking in regularly, fostering open conversations, and creating a safe space for children to express themselves may help prevent tragedies and support mental and emotional well-being.
As the community mourns the loss of a young life, our thoughts and heartfelt prayers go out to Autumn’s family during this time of profound grief. May their strength and voice inspire awareness, compassion, and action.
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