'He just gave up' - School shutdown drives Baltimore County teen to depression, suicide

BALTIMORE COUNTY (WBFF) - A Baltimore County family dealing with tragedy says the school shutdown is having a devastating impact on kids.

Michael Myronuk Jr. was a 14-year-old freshman at Dulaney High School. He was a gifted and talented student who loved Star Wars. He was a perfectionist, who in March, began learning virtually. He hoped that would change in September, but Baltimore County Schools remained virtual due to COVID.

His parents say their son struggled with the school shutdown and would have adjusted better if he had returned to the classroom.

“Kids more so, especially when they're developing at this age. Our son made a choice he can't ever take back,” said Michael’s mother, Heathyr Sidle.

Michael’s parents say the isolation affected him. By October, he became resigned and disengaged. A counselor diagnosed signs of depression.

“Now having to talk with my four-year-old daily about Michael's accident, to treat it kindly, and where Michael is now, is brutal,” said Michael Myronuk Sr.

On October 5th, Michael’s mother grew concerned and emailed the school. She learned Michael had quit attending class and wasn’t turning in assignments.

“I had no idea,” said Sidle. “Why did you let my kid fail? Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you tell me the first month of school?”

“He was struggling, and not just struggling but spiraling,” said Myronuk Sr. “And then we're told by say, the school systems, ‘Oh yeah, lots of kids are going through that. Yeah, just stay the course. Everything will be fine.’”

On October 7th, Dulaney High School scheduled a virtual meeting with Michael’s teachers and his parents to discuss what was wrong and how the school planned to address it.

“I said, ‘It's not working.’ I went back to the school again and I said, ‘Well I'm sorry, it's still not working,’ and the next email I sent is that he killed himself,” said Sidle. “So, apparently, whatever red flags they were looking for, it didn't work.”

On October 20th, Michael took his own life....(Read more)

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