[hide] Jan. 4, 2007, 12:41AM
Saddam's execution blamed in boy's death
10-year-old apparently tried to mimic event he'd seen on TV
By RUTH RENDON
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle
A 10-year-old boy who apparently was mimicking the execution of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein accidentally hanged himself on New Year's Eve, authorities said.
Webster police Lt. Tom Claunch said officers were called to an apartment in the 800 block of NASA Parkway about 7:30 p.m. on Sunday and found the boy dead.
Sergio Pelico's mother told police he had watched a report on Saddam's death on a Telemundo news broadcast before he hanged himself, Claunch said.
"It appears to be accidental," he said of the boy's death. "Our gut reaction is that he was experimenting."
The Harris County Medical Examiner's Office said results of the boy's autopsy are pending.
As Webster police continued their investigation, family and friends gathered for a memorial service Wednesday for Sergio.
His uncle, Julio Gustavo, questioned why television news had to broadcast the former Iraqi dictator's death.
Saturday, one day after Saddam's execution, Sergio watched the news on TV with another uncle and asked what led to the former leader's demise, Gustavo said.
"His uncle told him it was because Saddam was real bad," Gustavo said outside the activity center of the Webster apartment complex where the memorial was being held. "He (Sergio) said, 'OK.' And that was it."
Gustavo said Sergio's mother left for work the afternoon of Dec. 31. Sergio and other youngsters were being watched by an uncle while other parents were preparing food for a New Year's party, Gustavo said.
At one point, one of the children noticed Sergio was gone and went to his bedroom, where he was found dead.
Webster police were called to the apartment. The boy had tied a slipknot around his neck while on a bunk bed, police said.
Gustavo said his nephew was a happy child who was very curious. The boy was a fifth-grader at Clear Lake City Elementary School, he said.
Pakistan incident
"I don't think he thought it was real," Gustavo said of Saddam's hanging. "They showed them putting the noose around his neck and everything.
"Why show that on TV?"
The video of Saddam's execution also apparently influenced a 9-year-old boy in Pakistan. Agence France-Presse reported the boy hanged himself from a ceiling fan while re-enacting Saddam's death with the help of his 10-year-old sister, authorities said.
California-based clinical psychologist Edward Bischof said Sergio may have been "modeling" or mimicking behavior he saw on television that he found interesting or exciting.
"I would think maybe this kid is trying something that he thinks fun to act out without having the emotional and psychological maturity to think the thing through before he acts on it," Bischof said.
He said there have been other cases where children were hurt or hurt others while acting out wrestling, fighting or extreme sports they saw on television. Children of Sergio's age often do not realize the danger of mimicking such behaviors until it's too late, Bischof said.
"Saddam Hussein was (shown) standing there with a noose around his neck probably a dozen times in an hour" on cable television, he said.
"This is a real case where TV appears to be a stimulant."
Parents should monitor what kids watch and make sure they talk to their children about what they are observing in order to explain it to them, Bischof said.
"What a tragedy for the family," Bischof said. "It must be just heartbreaking."
Neighbors mourn
Gustavo said he would encourage parents to not let their children watch the TV news if it is violent.
Sergio's death, Gustavo said, has been especially hard on his mother, Sara Pelico DeLeon, and his father, Celso Sontay, who lives in New Jersey.
Investigators learned Sergio had been upset that his father had not given him a Christmas present but had given his younger brother a gift. Police, however, do not believe it led the child to take his life.
Wednesday evening about 40 people crowded into the Waterford Apartments activity center to pay their respects.
A sobbing Sara DeLeon sat in a chair in front of her son's open casket as mourners hugged her and patted her on the shoulder. The white casket was surrounded by flowers.
A few feet away, Sontay thanked family and friends for attending the service.
Over the door was a black bow made out of a trash bag. Pictures of Sergio were taped to the door and on a wall.
Gustavo said relatives are struggling to get the money necessary to send the body to Guatemala for burial.
Stephanie A. Serrano of Crespo Funeral Home said her office would be visiting with the Guatemalan consulate's office today to make final arrangements for returning the body. [/hide]
Kids are really dumb.
 
