Father whose son died after bullying will speak to parents

On October 7, 2003, Ryan Patrick Halligan died by suicide at the age of 13 after being bullied by classmates at school and online.

His father, John, decided that bullying must stop. To that end, he set out to tell parents how to handle bullying, cyber-bullying and teen depression - lessons he learned too late to save his son.

Halligan is giving a set of free talks for parents next week in Montgomery County. Here are the details:

9/19 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sandy Run Middle School, 520 Twining Rd., Dresher, Pa.

9/20 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Bala Cynwyd Middle School, 510 Bryn Mawr Ave., Bala Cynwyd

9/21 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Lower Moreland High School, 555 Red Lion Rd., Huntingdon Valley

There will be free programming for children during the parents' forum.

Sponsors are the Montgomery County DA, Health Dept., Sheriff's Dept., and Family Services.

For information, call Mary Bell at 610-630-2111, ext. 269.