10-Year-Old Santa Ana Girl Dies by Suicide
Courtesy of the Wendel Hernandez Family
A Allison Ruth Wendel with a smile on her face, from her GoFundMe page her family put up.
October 31, 2019
Allison Ruth Wendel, 10, from Santa Ana committed suicide on Sunday, October 13, 2019. She attended Hazard Elementary School as a fifth-grader in neighboring Garden Grove Unified School District.
The Santa Ana Police Department confirms Wendel was found dead in the bathroom by her 9-year-old sister. Her parents were not home at the time.
Police and school authorities are investigating her social media to determine whether bullying played a role in her death. According to Univision Noticias, they confirmed that bullying wasn’t the reason for suicide. And her family does not believe bullying was a factor that led to her suicide because they monitored her social media.
Garden Grove Unified School District, where Allison attended school, said in a statement:
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic passing of one of our students. We have our crisis counselors on site today and throughout the week to ensure students and staff have to support during this difficult time. While the Santa Ana Police Department is conducting a thorough investigation, we have no evidence to support this rumor (of bullying). Hazard Elementary School has a longstanding PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) program and takes a proactive approach to promote a positive school culture.”
Sometimes asking for help is the bravest move you can make
— Debra Robertson, School Psychologist
With Wendel’s suicide, many Godinez Fundamental High School students were saddened to hear of someone so young taking her life.
Sophomore Kimberly Sanchez was shocked when she heard of Wendel’s death. Sanchez said, “I can just imagine how tough it is to lose a child at such a young age. She and her family are in my prayers.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports suicide is the 10th leading cause of death. Suicide rates have increased in practically every state from 1999 through 2016 by 30 percent. In 2016, about 45,000 Americans age 10 or older died by suicide. Children age 10-14 years-old have suicide rates that increased from 2007-2017.
For students at Godinez there are multiple resources in place if they need someone to talk to.
Debra Robertson, school psychologist, after hearing about this tragedy said, “It’s sad that she felt like she had nothing else to do besides end her life. That there was nobody there for her that she could have reached out to.” Robertson added, “ ‘Sometimes asking for help is the bravest move you can make’.” Robertson is at Godinez every day, located in the main office and meets with students daily.
Sarah Meastas, the school social worker, is very saddened by this tragic loss as well and has questioned how this could have happened. Meastas suggests for students to be completely honest with her in order to find the best solution and if needed she suggests possibly going to therapy perhaps staying in a hospital for safety concerns.
Meastas also encourages activities that are helpful to students, including creating a safety plan and coping skills such as active dancing, being positive, and most importantly reaching out to at least three people. Meastas is at Godinez from Monday through Friday and is located in the counseling center, 4-114.
Meastas added, “I know it can be really scary to ask for help, but you’re not alone and I or any other adult on campus will be here for you to guide you through the process.”
Michelle Holguin, a school counselor whose roster of students are with the last names P-S, said, “I think it’s devastating.” Holguin’s hope is perhaps Wendel’s family can share her story in order to spread awareness to elementary schools to take this more seriously. Holguin said, “I would encourage students to share their feelings with a trusted person because there is a lot of pain from stuffing down your feelings.”
Another place students can get help or support is the Wellness Center. Claudia Tapia, the Center’s director feels, “very sad that this young girl felt alone and decided to take her life. This tragedy further emphasizes the importance of making sure all students are okay and feel loved.”
Located in room 4-211, near the front office, the Wellness Center provides students with a safe and welcoming environment, resources and de-stress/relaxation activities. Tapia wants students and staff to know, “I am here to be a positive adult for all of our students. As a person who strives to be a resource, I strongly encourage students to find a trusted adult on campus because we are all here to help and nobody should have to face challenges alone.”
As for the Wendel family, Tapia’s deepest condolences are with them. She continued, “I can only hope that they will find the strength to transform their pain and suffering into motivation to advocate for more mental health services in K-12 education. Allison is an angel now.”
The Wendel Hernandez family has started a GoFundMe page where people can donate to pay the travel expenses of the family to Oaxaca, Mexico in order to bury their daughter. They set a goal of $30,000 to help cover the costs and therapy for Allison’s sister who discovered her. They also hosted a fundraiser on October 19 and 20 by selling food and drinks. Currently, they have raised over $33,000 on their GoFundMe page on top of what they gained from their fundraiser.
Godinez Principal Jesse Church stressed, “If you need help, please ask. If you don’t trust your teachers, you can talk to a custodian, an office worker, an administrator, it’s my hope that you feel comfortable talking to me.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, reach out and talk to an adult you trust. If you feel you have no one, call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. There is always help.
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Jacqueline • Feb 18, 2020 at 4:54 pm
Without a doubt, life can make a sharp turn at any given moment, similar to a car that’s driving on a hillside and swerves on a sudden curve. This news article provides yet another tragic case about a young life lost to suicide. After reading about Allison, I was shocked to learn that this young, beautiful girl was only 10 years old. I believe that cases like this should help construct more platforms that provide some sort of a SANCTUARY to many of those that are currently in the same shoes as Allison was in. No child or adolescent should experience such a considerable amount of AFFLICTION, enough to feel like the only remedy is to TERMINATE what is only the commencement of their lives. With this being said, parents and teachers should be on the lookout for younger people. Mental health resources should unquestionably be provided in schools including all grade levels; life’s troubling experiences do not hold any age requirements. Overall, awareness should most definitely be taken into consideration in order to prevent another stolen, sweet smile like Allison Ruth Wendel’s.
Erika Perez • Dec 12, 2019 at 2:55 pm
It’s very saddening to learn that her life ended with a young girl who was just ten years old. I’m completely unbelieved that a young girl can do something like this. I’m completely unbelieving that a young girl can do something like this. I sound like the INFAMOUS family that lost a path for young daughters. As for the class, I hope they should not use the PRETEXT that there is no evidence of harassment to justify themselves. I could only hope that in this difficult time the family will find SOLACE in those they love. I can only hope that other schools will take this tragedy seriously and focus on students on the verge of wanting to take their own lives in order to prevent more such tragedies.
Emily • Dec 6, 2019 at 10:01 am
It is very saddening to hear that a young girl who was only 10 years old ended her life. I am in complete disbelief that something like this is possible for a young girl to do. I feel for the INFAMOUS family who has lost a daughter way to young. I could only hope that the family can find SOLACE in those they love during this difficult time. I can only hope other schools will take this tragedy seriously and focus on students who are on the verge of wanting to take their own lives to prevent more tragedies like these. As for the school, this young girl attended I think they shouldn’t use the PRETEXT of there not being any evidence of bullying to defend themselves. They should instead do everything they can to ensure a tragedy like this never happens again.
Isabelle Mendoza • Dec 6, 2019 at 6:11 am
The family of that little girl is, and will always be in my prayers. It deeply saddens me knowing that a young girl, who still had her whole life to live, took hers because of the CAUSTIC world. Whatever sadness this little girl carried with her, WRESTed her whole life. This makes me question whether the school and her parents were STEEPED in her life, and I question if any of them knew, why didn’t they put a stop to her life REPLETED with sadness. Overall, this family lost on if their angels who could’ve done so much good for the world and I wish this no longer happened because it is very HAPLESS, for the families.
Jennifer • Dec 6, 2019 at 3:16 am
Every time I hear of a young child taking their lives, I quickly grow REPLETE with melancholy. It’s hurtful because I know that little Alli must have had a great future ahead of her. I give all my CONDOLENCES to the family of Allison Wendel. I know the feeling of losing a loved one, that STEEP black hole that hits your chest, but not the feeling of losing a daughter/sister. I hope the family is receiving the right amount of love and support during these moments.
Bianca • Dec 6, 2019 at 12:23 am
It is honestly so sad to see a young beautiful girl pass away at a young age by suicide. It’s also sad to see that now the suicide rate for younger kids is going up. Everybody should have someone to go to if they need help but there is also this thing in society where asking for help also makes you seem weak, some kids even SCOFF at it. Kids are walking around INTREPIDLY dealing with there problems. I know some kids who are even scared to walk to a class alone because they feel like people are going to think they are “loners”. I can CONCUR the real problem isn’t that we don’t have the resources to help up but the way our society thinks about mental health.
Prisclla • Dec 5, 2019 at 8:45 pm
It is very difficult to hear about stories like these, especially when it includes an innocent child. I truly cannot imagine the level of pain and suffering the Wendel family is experiencing. As stated in the article, many children from the year 1999 through 2016 have PERCEIVED more thoughts of suicide compared to past years and knowing that terrifies me. Many may not realize it, but reaching out to those you trust is a highly INTREPID act. If you notice someone you know being FURTIVE, experiencing mood swings, or is simply acting out of the ordinary please make an attempt to speak to them, comfort them or lend a hug; it makes a difference. Having read this article, I strongly pray that the Wendel family will get through this situation together. No family deserves to be in such a horrid position. – Priscilla
Sarah Herrera • Dec 5, 2019 at 8:45 pm
People shouldn’t feel like their alone in life, especially a child. Just to know that people are thinking of ending their life makes you think what they are going through that makes them not want to live anymore. Allison Ruth Wendel’s family must feel like the pain is INTERMINABLE because losing a loved one is one of the hardest things a person can go through. Luckily, there are people in this world that are trying to ENHANCE suicide prevention. Suicide is one of the most EGREGIOUS things that happen in this world.
Sarah
Alicia Jimenez • Dec 5, 2019 at 7:45 pm
There are many struggles for teens around the world and one of those struggles is the temptation to commit suicide because of all the problems they have going on in their lives. People have to PERCEIVE that not everything is easy for teens we have lots of things going on in our lives. I believe people have the thought of suicide through their mind a lot because of all the stress and negatives things they hear about themselves. Sometimes we critique ourselves about our appearance and compare our selves to others when we shouldn’t be doing that, what we should be doing is giving ourselves and others nice compliments. The critique we give ourselves is INTERMINABLE. This relates to this article because it stated that some believe Allison Ruth Wendel was going through some harsh times in school and was getting bullied through social media. Some still ACCOST whether she was actually being bullied because her parents stated that they controlled her social media account. I was so surprised to see how at such a young age a child already has the thought of suicide in their mind.
Andrea Alvarez • Dec 5, 2019 at 5:17 pm
This article was informative and sentimental. I felt really sad and sorry about this tragedy that occurred for this family. It must be awful for this normal kind of family to lose their kid. I can’t imagine what the girls were feeling, she must have felt alone and sad. She must have TOLERATED so many horrible things until she couldn’t handle it anymore. I can’t imagine losing my siblings. That girl must have felt like she had INTERMINABLE problems. This article has made me realize that the world around me has had many tragedies and loses. I find these HAPLESS problems to be really sad for the families the most. This article could have also put a video of the counselors lending a hand to the students so that the students know who they are. I like how the article should many ways to get help.
– Andrea
Danielle • Dec 5, 2019 at 12:41 pm
It is very hard losing a child, it must be very hard for a mother to lose something that was very close to them since the beginning of their journey through childbirth and raising a child. Each child should be able to find a place of SOLACE. She was just an INCIPIENT child. It is also sad that the INFAMOUS family has to grow up knowing that they lost a child due to suicide and that they cannot raise a child to become greater than what the parents have become.
Jennifer • Nov 25, 2019 at 8:39 pm
Reading this really hit my heart. It’s saddening to know that a child has taken their life when they still have so much to live for. I just hope the family is being given the right support and love at these times.
Maria • Nov 22, 2019 at 2:18 pm
It is very sad to hear that someone has ended their life, especially from someone so young. I am glad Godinez provides many supportive resources who help students.
Eduardo Salgado • Nov 22, 2019 at 1:18 pm
It’s really sad that this family lost a child at a really young age. I will keep this family in my prayers due to my own family going through a tough situation like this. Yes its relieving that there are people and programs who will help those who are at the verge of wanting to take their own life but I personally would want people to pay more attention to them to try and prevent these types of tragedies.
Samantha Torres • Nov 22, 2019 at 1:17 pm
No one in their life should experience a loss over suicide. The fact that this little girl was only 10 years old and felt the need to end her life in order to escape a problem breaks my heart. I hope the family is able to recover from this tragic loss and spread awareness on suicide.
Diego Lechuga • Nov 22, 2019 at 9:24 am
It is very sad how someone so young took their own life. It’s great news that we have many resources that can help you out.
Dianaly • Nov 22, 2019 at 9:20 am
This story is very touching for me since I have a ten-year-old sister and I would not know what I would do if this ever occurred. Adding the support that Godinez provides was a very good add on in this article since it is important to know that we will always have someone to go to on campus.
Natalie Eulloqui • Nov 22, 2019 at 9:17 am
I am very saddened by how this young girl which was barely starting her life killed herself. I wish we all could’ve been there to support her and show her there is more to life.