Boy mimicks Saddam execution, accidentally hangs self

A 10-year-old boy who apparently was mimicking the execution of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein accidentally hanged himself on New Year's Eve, authorities said.

Sergio Pelico's mother told police he had watched a report on Saddam's death on a Telemundo news broadcast before he hanged himself, Claunch said.

"It appears to be accidental," he said of the boy's death. "Our gut reaction is that he was experimenting." The Harris County Medical Examiner's Office said results of the boy's autopsy are pending.

Saturday, one day after Saddam's execution, Sergio watched the news on TV with another uncle and asked what led to the former leader's demise, Gustavo said.

"His uncle told him it was because Saddam was real bad," Gustavo said. "He (Sergio) said, 'OK.' And that was it." Gustavo said Sergio's mother left for work the afternoon of Dec. 31. Sergio and other youngsters were being watched by an uncle while other parents were preparing food for a New Year's party, Gustavo said.

At one point, one of the children noticed Sergio was gone and went to his bedroom, where he was found dead. Webster police were called to the apartment. The boy had tied a slipknot around his neck while on a bunk bed, police said. Article here.