A TEENAGE boy took his own life after telling his father he was going back to school for a detention.

Elido Vargas Jr’s father last spoke to his son two days before his body was found in a churchyard.

An inquest heard Elido told his dad: “I’m going back to school for a detention.”

Mr Vargas met his 15-year-old son on his way home from work on June 5 last year.

He found a hand-written note from the boy when he got home which started: “This is a suicide note,” the inquest heard.

Mr Vargas searched for his son at the school and called police at 4.06pm.

Officers from Sussex Police, school friends and family searched for two days before his body was found in the grounds of St John the Evangelist Church in Burgess Hill.

An inquest in Crawley heard two members of the public found him under a tree in a secluded corner of the graveyard.

The documentary inquest heard the schoolboy, who was born in the Dominican Republic, left another note at a friend's house which also caused concern.

The inquest heard he had also made comments to friends indicating he was in a low state of mind.

He left both of his mobile phones at home, which was also unusual.

Pathologist Dr Mark Taylor gave the cause of death as hanging.

Assistant coroner Joanne Andrews said: “I am satisfied he intended to do so and I will record a version of suicide.”

None of the Vargas family attended the documentary inquest.

Elido's former teacher at Manor Field Primary School, Charlotte Caulkin, previously described him as a "lovely, cheeky and energetic boy".

She told The Argus at the time of his death: "He took part in a dance group where his group won and got through to a showcase final.

"He was the only boy in the group but he didn’t care – he put in 100 per cent and I’ll never forget his brilliant smile."

Elido Vargas Sr, the boy’s father, told The Argus at the time: “He was always a kind, friendly, smiley child. He was very very kind with babies and little children - especially with his brothers, he always looked after them.

“He was a little angel who came and walked among us.

“And he knew always to provide his love for the people around him.”

In a statement, Elido's parents said: “Many people worry that asking about suicide may put the idea into a young person’s head, or offend or make the angry.

“Research indicates that asking does not increase the risk.

“By asking someone if they have thought of suicide you have told them that you are a safe person to talk to and that you can work with them to get help.

“If you are a young person I urge you to get in touch with national charity PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide.

“If feeling suicidal that charity’s trained mental health advisors will help to keep you safe and for worried others, help you to start a conversation to keep safe a young person at risk from suicide.

“Contact the charity’s HOPELINEUK helpline 0800 068 41 41 ten 07786 209 697 email pat@papyrus-uk.org “Don’t hesitate, you could save a young life."