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Boy dies playing choking game
By MELISSA MILEWSKI
Bucks County Courier Times
An 11-year-old Horsham boy died over the weekend while playing a high-risk game in which children and teenagers cut off the flow of oxygen to the brain as a way to get high.
Mitchell Walsh, a fifth-grader at Simmons Elementary School in Horsham, accidentally strangled himself late Friday night or Saturday morning while playing the "Choking Game," police said. Family found Mitchell with a cloth belt tied around his neck early Saturday morning. Police believe he was alone at the time of the accident.
Horsham Detective James Vincenti said an investigation revealed that Mitchell had seen an older relative play the game. Police also learned that a number of that relative's friends have played the choking game. Vincenti would not provide the number of friends but said "more than you think." Police notified the parents of those teenagers.
Vincenti said the boy was "an average 11-year-old boy" who came from a "very stable, loving" home.
Police ruled out suicide, noting, for example, that the boy had already bought his father a Christmas present.
"He left him a note that said he ate some of his candy and that he was sorry there wasn't much left [of his gift]," Vincenti said. "He signed his name with a happy face.
"People don't do that and then commit suicide."
James Walsh, Mitchell's father, declined to comment Monday.
Hatboro-Horsham School District Superintendent Bill Lessa said Mitchell was a "well-respected" and "very popular" student.
"The loss of Mitchell is sad for all of us," Lessa said. "All held him in a very high regard. He was a very popular youngster."
The district notified the parents of Mitchell's classmates on Saturday so the students would not be surprised Monday by the news. Teams of psychologists, counselors, teachers and administrators were sent Monday to all fifth-grade classes at Simmons Elementary School.
Most children who have died playing the game were well-liked, active, intelligent, stable children who have no interest in drugs or alcohol, according to Stop the Choking Game, a Web site set up by a woman after she lost a grandson to the deadly game. Most feel the activity is safe because it does not involve any illegal substances.
Children, usually between the ages of 9 and 17, cut off oxygen to the brain using a belt, rope, sheet or other item and tying it to a bedpost or doorknob.
People who faint before they release the pressure choke themselves. Those who don't die can still kill large numbers of brain cells and the variation in blood pressure can cause strokes, seizures and retinal damage.
The game is also known as the Pass-Out Game, Knock Out, Gasp, Space Monkey, Suffocation, Fainting and American Dream.
Vincenti, a father and a grandfather, said his heart went out to the Walsh family, but he felt it was important that other parents know that this game is being played.
"Parents have to know what's going on out there," Vincenti said. "How young they are.
"It's the same as protecting your kids by making them play in the yard and not out in the street."
Upper Moreland police recently made a series of presentations on the topic at its township schools. The assemblies included the mothers of 13-year-old Kodee Alcott and 16-year-old Stephen Connelly, who died playing the game.
Kodee was found hanging in his basement in New Jersey last March. Stephen was found hanging from his closet door in Morrisville in August 2002. His two younger siblings found him.
Signs that a child might be playing this game include: inexplicable bruises and marks on the throat, redness of the eyes, locked bedroom doors, frequent severe headaches, disorientation after spending time alone and finding shoelaces, belts, ropes and leashes tied in strange knots.
By MELISSA MILEWSKI
Bucks County Courier Times
An 11-year-old Horsham boy died over the weekend while playing a high-risk game in which children and teenagers cut off the flow of oxygen to the brain as a way to get high.
Mitchell Walsh, a fifth-grader at Simmons Elementary School in Horsham, accidentally strangled himself late Friday night or Saturday morning while playing the "Choking Game," police said. Family found Mitchell with a cloth belt tied around his neck early Saturday morning. Police believe he was alone at the time of the accident.
Horsham Detective James Vincenti said an investigation revealed that Mitchell had seen an older relative play the game. Police also learned that a number of that relative's friends have played the choking game. Vincenti would not provide the number of friends but said "more than you think." Police notified the parents of those teenagers.
Vincenti said the boy was "an average 11-year-old boy" who came from a "very stable, loving" home.
Police ruled out suicide, noting, for example, that the boy had already bought his father a Christmas present.
"He left him a note that said he ate some of his candy and that he was sorry there wasn't much left [of his gift]," Vincenti said. "He signed his name with a happy face.
"People don't do that and then commit suicide."
James Walsh, Mitchell's father, declined to comment Monday.
Hatboro-Horsham School District Superintendent Bill Lessa said Mitchell was a "well-respected" and "very popular" student.
"The loss of Mitchell is sad for all of us," Lessa said. "All held him in a very high regard. He was a very popular youngster."
The district notified the parents of Mitchell's classmates on Saturday so the students would not be surprised Monday by the news. Teams of psychologists, counselors, teachers and administrators were sent Monday to all fifth-grade classes at Simmons Elementary School.
Most children who have died playing the game were well-liked, active, intelligent, stable children who have no interest in drugs or alcohol, according to Stop the Choking Game, a Web site set up by a woman after she lost a grandson to the deadly game. Most feel the activity is safe because it does not involve any illegal substances.
Children, usually between the ages of 9 and 17, cut off oxygen to the brain using a belt, rope, sheet or other item and tying it to a bedpost or doorknob.
People who faint before they release the pressure choke themselves. Those who don't die can still kill large numbers of brain cells and the variation in blood pressure can cause strokes, seizures and retinal damage.
The game is also known as the Pass-Out Game, Knock Out, Gasp, Space Monkey, Suffocation, Fainting and American Dream.
Vincenti, a father and a grandfather, said his heart went out to the Walsh family, but he felt it was important that other parents know that this game is being played.
"Parents have to know what's going on out there," Vincenti said. "How young they are.
"It's the same as protecting your kids by making them play in the yard and not out in the street."
Upper Moreland police recently made a series of presentations on the topic at its township schools. The assemblies included the mothers of 13-year-old Kodee Alcott and 16-year-old Stephen Connelly, who died playing the game.
Kodee was found hanging in his basement in New Jersey last March. Stephen was found hanging from his closet door in Morrisville in August 2002. His two younger siblings found him.
Signs that a child might be playing this game include: inexplicable bruises and marks on the throat, redness of the eyes, locked bedroom doors, frequent severe headaches, disorientation after spending time alone and finding shoelaces, belts, ropes and leashes tied in strange knots.
