'I Wouldn't Wish This On Anybody': Mother Mourns After Suicide Takes The Life Of 12-Year-Old Son

A woman from Mounds is dealing with an unthinkable situation after suicide took the life of her 12-year-old son. She is speaking out with the hope that no other family has to go through this kind of tragedy.

Kalah Ballance surfs through pictures and videos of her son Eli, who was in the 7th grade. Those memories of him singing and laughing are all she has left of him.

“He was smart, he was funny, he was compassionate,” said Kalah. “He was very, very giving.”

Kalah says Eli dealt with a lot of bullying. She says she planned to move him to a different school next semester.

The days before Eli’s suicide seemed normal, filled with Christmas parades, video games and family time. The last time Kalah talked to him was last Wednesday before school.

“I told him I love you, have a good day, make good choices,” said Kalah.

Kalah says she is still processing the pain and accepting her son is no longer here.

“If this is hell, could it be any worse?” she asked. “Could actual hell be any worse than this?”

People packed hospital hallways when Eli’s organs were donated to other children. His heart went to a nine-year-old, his lungs to a six-year-old, and his liver to a one-year-old.

“Those families got the Christmas miracle we were hoping for, that I was praying for,” said Kalah.

Kalah now wears a shirt with the words “Pick Kindness” printed on the front. It is a symbol of Eli’s love of guitars.

She wishes no other family would ever have to go through this kind of pain.

“I wouldn’t wish this on anybody because it hurts so bad knowing that I’m never going to see my child go to prom. I’m never going to gripe at my child for driving too fast,” she said.

Kalah wants everyone to know there are resources available to parents and students dealing with bullying. She hopes she can use her son’s story to get stricter bullying laws passed in the future.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, help is available 24 hours a day. The national hotline is 9-8-8.