Louisville mother fights to prevent bullying after middle school son dies by suicide

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A Jefferson County middle schooler took his own life after years of relentless bullying, and now his mother is on a mission to prevent other children from experiencing the same tragedy.

Silas Pollock, 12, should have been starting seventh grade at Farnsley Middle School this year. Instead, his mother, Audra Upshaw, said bullying drove him to take his life on April 15, 2025.

“The realization that I’m never going to get to take those back-to-school photos again breaks my heart, and there’s nothing I can do about it,” Upshaw said.

Upshaw said she has uncovered videos showing her son being attacked at school, including incidents where he was stomped on in the snow and jumped in the school bathroom. Peers reportedly told him to kill himself, like his father had.

The CDC reports suicide is the second-leading cause of death among children ages 10 to 14. In Louisville, three individuals under 18 have died by suicide this year, according to Louisville Metro Police.

Upshaw said Jefferson County Public Schools and the nation as a whole aren’t doing enough to stop bullying. JCPS said incidents can be reported to administrators, via the district website, or through a hotline. Since last July, JCPS said five tips were reported for Farnsley Middle School — none from Silas’s grade.

“I called the school on a number of occasions. The most that happens is they’ll suspend the bully for a couple days, but each and every time, they’re brought back into the same classrooms,” Upshaw said.

On Thursday, Upshaw launched the Silas Project, advocating for anti-bullying laws and resources to protect children.

“There should be legal repercussions. This is assault,” she said.

Upshaw urges parents to watch for signs their child may be bullied.

According to Stopbullying.gov, warning signs include unexplainable injuries, changes in eating habits, frequent nightmares, avoiding school, and self-destructive behaviors.

If you suspect your child is being bullied, according to www.stompoutbullying.org parents should contact therapists, document incidents, file complaints with schools, and, if necessary, involve law enforcement.

“He had a smile that could melt away the darkest days,” Upshaw said. “I can’t change what happened to my son, but I promise I will not stop fighting. I will be a voice for other children going through what he had to go through.”

Her mission now is to save the smiles of children still here.

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