The Archie Battersbee Case #10

[scottishtensmachine]

Something terrible happened in that little boys life that led him to take his own life. Don’t bullshit people with a “tiktok” trend or he tripped and fell with a house coat robe wrapped around his neck. If such a thing was plausible, explain the other incidents of him attempting suicide, the suicidal ideation on his social life.

Barely twelve, and already planning and glorifying suicide with a feckless mother who can’t even see that her poor boy is suffering, yet most people here can see from a quick glance at his socials there’s something going on with him.

Now that he’s dead, she plays the doting mother who will stop at nothing to bring her sweet boy back!

Neglected by everyone in life and then treated as a twisted spectacle in death.

I don't quite know the rules on posting your own stories here, so please nudge me if I've overstepped. But I, like Archie, tried to take my own life at 12. And before that, actually, several times. I didn't write a note, because what was there to say? You'd be writing a note to the very people that made you hurt so much, so deeply, that you felt death was your only way out.

You know what changed? Not much. Like Archie, I had a beloved pet, and the only reason I kept going was that I couldn't leave her behind. She would miss me. I wonder if the rabbit argument had some truth to it, and it pushed him over the proverbial edge.

I would be downright fucking hysterical if the same people that contributed to me feeling that way then acted like they were my heroes for forcing me to stay around. Or changing the narrative. They've robbed him of his dignity just as they've robbed him of his thoughts and feelings. They've turned his cry for help into their demand for attention.

I almost lost a loved one to suicide in my late teens. I stayed up all night for days, traumatised by the incident, just in case they tried again. I remember screaming and the inability to let go of them when they returned. I couldn't tell you what time it was or anything. I just remember this visceral fear and the way my life stopped. Years later, I still hover. I still check on them and worry if they're a bit too quiet. It was traumatic. I was torn between anger at them for hurting me and anger at myself for not seeing the signs and stopping them. They didn't leave a note, either. I can still barely talk about it - thank you relative anonymity of the internet- without panic attacks.

I've wept over this case because I can imagine where his head was. I wish somebody had given him a hug and investigated. I wish somebody had cared about this little boy before he was this spectacle. I don't want to say, 'oh, this could have been me,' because that undermines the real tragedy in front of us. But the situation hits very close to home. I wish his mother would stop pretending and, when she feels ready, try to stop this from happening to another child who is far too young.

 

[Sneauflake]

I'm so sorry, Archie.

You deserved better than this.

 

[AlanBanan]

Something terrible happened in that little boys life that led him to take his own life. Don’t bullshit people with a “tiktok” trend or he tripped and fell with a house coat robe wrapped around his neck. If such a thing was plausible, explain the other incidents of him attempting suicide, the suicidal ideation on his social media.

Barely twelve, and already planning and glorifying suicide with a feckless mother who can’t even see that her poor boy is suffering, yet most people here can see from a quick glance at his socials there was something going on with him.

Now that he’s dead, she plays the doting mother who will stop at nothing to bring her sweet boy back!

Neglected by everyone in life and then treated as a twisted spectacle in death.

 

[Scrotsandall]

Just to add to this ...

Because of this case I have sat down with my children, and age appropriately explained what has happened.
We talked about if they ever got so poorly they could never feel joy again, or an accident that meant they could only possibly live a life without any enjoyment, what would the expect us as parents to do if doctors suggested we stopped the machines from keeping their bodies alive?

I talked to them about organ donation and that if the doctors knew they would never wake up, we could let them fall asleep and their organs could then go onto save other people...

Some of the children agreed with me that the machine should be turned off and their organs donated. However my eldest is terrified of what happens after death, and agreed he would want the machine turning off, but he was anxious about the organ donation as he doesn't know what happens after death, and what happens if reincarnation is real... that led to a further discussion that we would (and they would too) prefer cremation rather than burial, so any organs would have been burnt to cinders anyway...

I also asked the question 'If you were super poorly, but someone else's organ could save your life, would you want us to accept it?'
They said 'yes'
So I asked them morally are they comfortable to accept something they themselves wouldn't give to another person if roles were reversed?'

I wasn't pushing any of them into agreeing with me, if they were adamant they wouldn't want to donate organs, or unlike Archie, if they had the chance of waking up but being in a vegetative state, would they like that opportunity to stay alive, I would certainly have listened... but I made it clear that as parents we would make a decisions under the circumstances, with their future happiness as our focus, but would always take the conversations we shared into consideration too...

It wasn't an awful conversation to have, it certainly wasn't nice thinking about such a sad scenario, but I am grateful to Archie, as because of him, I have now had a very important conversation with my children, and tackled really important subjects like organ donation.

All children trust us as parents to make the right decision when the time comes, and if possible make their organs available to help others.

These types of conversations should be Archie's legacy, removing the stigma attached to death, and allowing children to be part of the conversations- not this media circus created around his dead body by his mother.

 

[Chrisscross]

I'm glad a support group are doing posts like this, as I know there have been some comments here in relation to what they're saying

I'm soo glad to see something like this. This has been agonising for me and I've sobbed and sobbed about it. Wondering if I failed my precious child because I agreed to the doctors withdrawing life support.

I feel incredibly guilty, no matter what anyone has been saying to me. I'm second guessing my decision. And if it was the right one. Honestly feeling so much pain and the moment. But can't seem to drag myself away from this case. ( partly because I want to know this little boy will soon be able to rest) even saying that breaks my heart.

In my child's last hours it was just myself and his daddy, we did hand and foot prints and casts and sang to him and brushed his hair. And laid in his bed with him until it was "time" to say our goodbyes.

My heart still breaks for Archies parents.
But this whole media thing and appeal after appeal really does have me questioning my choices. And if I really " fought" for my baby. Or if we said goodbye too soon.

It's had me up at night. Wondering if I did what this mother is doing would my son have woken up?

God this is painful on so many levels.

Poor poor Archie.

 

[Boring Monday]

I don't quite know the rules on posting your own stories here, so please nudge me if I've overstepped. But I, like Archie, tried to take my own life at 12. And before that, actually, several times. I didn't write a note, because what was there to say? You'd be writing a note to the very people that made you hurt so much, so deeply, that you felt death was your only way out.

You know what changed? Not much. Like Archie, I had a beloved pet, and the only reason I kept going was that I couldn't leave her behind. She would miss me. I wonder if the rabbit argument had some truth to it, and it pushed him over the proverbial edge.

I would be downright fucking hysterical if the same people that contributed to me feeling that way then acted like they were my heroes for forcing me to stay around. Or changing the narrative. They've robbed him of his dignity just as they've robbed him of his thoughts and feelings.

I almost lost a loved one to suicide in my late teens. I stayed up all night for days, traumatised by the incident, just in case they tried again. I remember screaming and the inability to let go of them when they returned. I couldn't tell you what time it was or anything. I just remember this visceral fear and the way my life stopped. Years later, I still hover. I still check on them and worry if they're a bit too quiet. It was traumatic. I was torn between anger at them for hurting me and anger at myself for not seeing the signs and stopping them. They didn't leave a note, either. I can still barely talk about it - thank you relative anonymity of the internet- without panic attacks.

I've wept over this case because I can imagine where his head was. I wish somebody had given him a hug and investigated. I wish somebody had cared about this little boy before he was this spectacle. I don't want to say, 'oh, this could have been me,' because that undermines the real tragedy in front of us. But the situation hits very close to home. I wish his mother would stop pretending and, when she feels ready, try to stop this from happening to another child who is far too young.

You are one very brave person with an awesome user name.
Thank you for posting that and in particular the sentence where you say …They've turned his cry for help into their demand for attention.
I think you have given the best summary to this whole situation there.

 

[Milfordcubicle]

One of my offspring attempted suicide during the first lockdown. We had been backwards and forwards to the gp countless times trying to get a CAMHS referral. They were rushed to hospital (by me) and I didn’t leave their side. The nurses and me really struggled as one of them really wanted to give me a hug and we couldnt because covid……the staff in the childrens hospital were amazing- from the on duty psych to the food lady that kept supplying ginger bread men!
they are now medicated very successfully and have been signed off from CAMHS and are back to “normal”. They are now 17. However I still watch like a hawk and have safety nets in place at school and plans for any signs and symptoms. It took me about a year to tell even the grandparents what had happened and open up about their struggle. I was mortified and felt like I’d failed them and I should have been more, done more, nor allowed my child to feel that desperate and alone. Thank all the deities we had a happy ending. we are a very stable 2 parents, middle class, boring family. God only knows what was haunting this poor boy. I am heartbroken for him being used in this way

 

[Yesweknowyouhavekids]

 

[Ravenseye]

I have seen a comment on DFA fb page by a woman who had commented about enough was enough and HD should just let Archie go now.....this woman said she then received a DM from HD saying that she hoped karma would get her and her unborn child. I have no words.

 

[ATV2021]

I'm glad a support group are doing posts like this, as I know there have been some comments here in relation to what they're saying

 

[ATV2021]

If ANYONE thinks Tattle is just full of trolls....come and read the love shared for others. Not just on this thread but across the site. If anyone, anywhere ever posts something heartbreaking or devastating for them, the love is instantly there with lovely words, thoughts and sharing of places that could help. Not what trolls are in my world

 

[MidnightAura]

Right come on.

You cannot stand up and say in a court of law your rights have have been breached for privacy when you have shared pictures Of your child in a nappy, pictures of him on a ventilator looking dreadful. His skeletal limbs, pictures of his scans, x rays and bags of his urine. You can’t claim privacy when you have a fecking “army” of thick dimwits whom with half a brain cell would be dangerous. And you certainly can’t claim your privacy has been breached when you have live streamed from the bed side of said child, encouraged people to attend vigils and are now encouraging folk to come down and essentially protest. If you want privacy Hollie, close down the army, stop the multiple go grift me accounts and donate every penny to the NHS and then you have an arguement. Otherwise go fuck yourself!

(Sorry this has made me really angry)

 

[Macmama]

I'm soo glad to see something like this. This has been agonising for me and I've sobbed and sobbed about it. Wondering if I failed my precious child because I agreed to the doctors withdrawing life support.

I feel incredibly guilty, no matter what anyone has been saying to me. I'm second guessing my decision. And if it was the right one. Honestly feeling so much pain and the moment. But can't seem to drag myself away from this case. ( partly because I want to know this little boy will soon be able to rest) even saying that breaks my heart.

In my child's last hours it was just myself and his daddy, we did hand and foot prints and casts and sang to him and brushed his hair. And laid in his bed with him until it was "time" to say our goodbyes.

My heart still breaks for Archies parents.
But this whole media thing and appeal after appeal really does have me questioning my choices. And if I really " fought" for my baby. Or if we said goodbye too soon.

It's had me up at night. Wondering if I did what this mother is doing would my son have woken up?

God this is painful on so many levels.

Poor poor Archie.

It is normal and natural to wonder, to look back and question. As parents, we constantly ask ourselves if we are doing what is best for our children. It isn’t wrong for you to wonder, as much as it might hurt. It isn’t wrong for you to feel angry, feel upset, feel confused or feel cheated.

Speaking as a PICU/NICU nurse, if there was something that could be done for a family, we would do it. We think of you often, for many, many years after, and we all feel a sense of grief that we could not do more. We too wonder. As new treatments and techniques become available, and we learn more, we wonder and think back. But we cannot change the past, regardless of what we come to wonder. You made your decision based on your son’s own circumstances. Nothing you could have done would have changed that outcome. You made the best choice for your boy, based on all the information you had, we had and the limitations of medical science.

Nothing that Hollie is doing will change Archie’s outcome either. Regardless of her intention, her methods, her words, what comes after all of this, her son’s fate will have been the same. She can shout the loudest, but sadly, that doesn’t mean there is an answer for Archie that isn’t what is to come. There is no miracle coming for Archie, despite all the media circus. What she is doing, rightly or wrongly, is for her, not Archie.

You made the bravest decision in giving your son a peaceful and gentle goodbye, surrounded by love, just as he was when he arrived. In his mama and daddy’s arms, where he belongs, where all he had ever known was love, safety and comfort. You did your very best for him.

 

[BeansOnBeans]

I hope the NHS staff are given extra annual leave or at least something to make up for all this.

Extra annual leave? They will be lucky to get an imaginary hobnob on their non existing tea breaks poor fuckers. But yes, I agree they do deserve something!

 

[Imhereapparently28]

No way are these people really that thick?

 

[scottishtensmachine]

You are one very brave person with an awesome user name.
Thank you for posting that and in particular the sentence where you say …They've turned his cry for help into their demand for attention.
j think you have given the best summary to this whole situation there.

I'm glad I could provide some level of insight. I don't want to take over his story by any means, but when I dug deeper, it resonated with me. In the days since finding out about what is really going on, I've wondered if anybody actually cared about him. We've seen so much coverage about his mother and the alleged TikTok challenge, but what about Archie?

When the photo was posted of his rabbit in the room with him, it was oddly reassuring. But then I realised we don't know much about his rabbit. Or his gymnastics, or MMA, or what music he enjoyed. We know he did these things, but we don't know anything beyond that. Their demand for attention has ensured we never learn about the little boy at the centre of this, not that we're entitled to that information, but surely you'd want your child to be remembered for all of the wonderful parts of them instead of how their body deteriorated over months.

Thankyou for sharing your story xx
He had tried the day before
I know of that was my 12 yr old daughter she wouldn't have been out of my sight
Hollie doesn't appear to have called anyone the day before for help

I spent a large portion of my childhood in CAMHS, and even attempts meant days waiting for an 'emergency' appointment. But it doesn't sound like she reached out, which is devastating. I'm glad that your daughter and I imagine many other young people have parents willing to do whatever it takes to keep them safe.

And in general, thank you for the compassionate responses. I'm a bit teary now, but I hope anybody coming to look at this forum full of 'trolls' sees that, in reality, we're all humans trying to show this little boy the compassion he deserved in life.

 

[cantthinkofaname2]

So Kelley has now taken to going live on TikTok.
Just why? More so on the platform which supposedly encouraged Archie to do what he did.
I don’t agree with lots this family has done, but to go live showing his face on TikTok of all places is just sickening, not to mention unecessary

 

[veevee04]

The UK does need to learn to accept death better which is a fact, some cultures do have full on annual celebrations which we'd recoil at....but I'm still more on the UK side with the photo taking and posting thing. No need. Take for yourself if you must but no need to publicise when the person can't consent (I feel the same about photos of kids in general on SM with consent issues)

We don't accept death at all in the UK, some families have asked me about performing CPR on their 95 year old frail nan with severe dementia . I wouldn't feel comfortable assaulting someone so frail in their last moments thankfully the doctor agrees. I feel the same about Derek Kate Garraways husband it's obvious he doesn't have capacity anymore and she parades him on telly. Gross invasion of his privacy and his dignity. I respect the Schumacher family as there's not one picture of him since his accident his family know that he wouldn't want people to see him like that, so he will be remembered as an F1 champion and not severely brain damaged.

 

[scottishtensmachine]

I hope this is it. I hope that this little boy is finally let go, though I know he wasn't aware it still feels like he was forced to stay here.

I took a look at the site and found a post on his TikTok that suggested he liked anime and his favourite colour was red. We know so little about him, yet we all probably feel distraught over this. I hope that we learn more about Archie, that we can focus on him as he was alive, and return a shred of dignity to him.

I'd also like to share my deepest condolences with the many, many people on these threads that have shared devastating stories of loss. I hope that the future is happier for you. If there's a charity, or any place really that has meaning to you or your loved one, please do reach out. I don't have the most cash to hand, but in lieu of donating to a GoFundMe it feels right to support the organisations that helped you during your toughest times.

I've cried a lot reading these threads, and I can't thank all of you enough for your unending compassion regarding my post yesterday. I don't want to say it was healing, because that's not the right word, but I hope it gave a new perspective and that it would have made Archie feel heard. For a group of trolls, everyone here has shown the utmost care, compassion, and genuine kindness and that speaks volumes about the community. I feel I may be sticking around because of the insight I've gained from just these threads.

 

[Tamar]

It gets worse. Now the family have produced some t-shirts for sale and the vigil goes on all night.