In Loving Memory
Autumn Bushman
2014 – March 21, 2025
A 10-year-old girl whose light, laughter, and love touched everyone around her — and whose story is changing the law.
Who She Was
Autumn Bushman was a bright, joyful fourth grader at Mountain View Elementary School in Roanoke County, Virginia. She was 10 years old — full of life, curiosity, and a warmth that those who knew her say was impossible to miss.
She was the youngest in her family, an empathetic soul who loved deeply and laughed freely. She baked in the kitchen, played in autumn leaves, and carried herself with a kind of easy confidence that shone through every photo and memory her family treasures.
"I just would love people to remember how kind and caring she was. And her smile — she had a beautiful smile, and her eyes lit up every time she smiled. And she had so much love to give."
— Summer Bushman, Autumn's mother
Our little angel 🩷
Her Spirit
Confident. Creative. Kind.
Autumn had a personality that was impossible to ignore. She'd strike a silly pose for the camera, flash a peace sign, and make everyone around her feel at ease. She wore her glasses like a crown, laughed at herself, and never seemed to hold back the love she had to offer.
Her father Mark said it simply: "She's left a legacy just in ten years' time that I can only hope to leave in my lifetime."
She loved the season that shared her name.
Autumn — in every sense of the word.
What Happened
In early 2025, Autumn began experiencing relentless bullying — both at school and through her phone. Classmates sent her cruel messages, including one that said "go kill yourself" and another responding to her own cry for help with "I don't care. Nobody likes you anyways."
Just 16 days before her death, on March 5, 2025, Autumn met with a school counselor. She was clearly in distress. Her mother only discovered this through documents later obtained from Roanoke County Public Schools — no call was ever made home.
"Had I received a phone call, I would have had a conversation about the next steps," Summer Bushman said. "If she was really struggling with her feelings, I would've put her in counseling."
On March 21, 2025, Autumn died by suicide. She was 10 years old. A police investigation later closed with no criminal charges — because at the time, no law made what happened to Autumn illegal.
Legacy & Advocacy
In the aftermath of Autumn's death, her parents refused to let her story end in silence. They partnered with Pastor Thomas McCracken and Virginia State Senator Bill Stanley to draft what would become Autumn's Law.
A petition gathered thousands of signatures. Parents across Virginia — and the country — who felt hopeless about bullying found their voice through Autumn's story.
"This little girl's voice brought together an entire community and is now affecting change that will make sure there's not going to be another Autumn."
— Pastor Thomas McCracken
Making something sweet for everyone 🧁
Autumn's Law — SB265
Introduced in January 2026 by Virginia State Senator Bill Stanley (R-7), Autumn's Law (SB265) would create a landmark new criminal offense in Virginia — making aggravated bullying and aggravated cyberbullying crimes under Virginia Code Section 18.2-56.01.
Under the bill, aggravated bullying is defined as any act intentionally directed at the victim to:
- Place them in reasonable fear of bodily injury or death
- Incite violence against them
- Target them based on race, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or mental health condition
- Interfere with their ability to attend and learn in school — including behavior on social media at any hour
What It Would Do
- Classify aggravated bullying as a Class 1 misdemeanor
- Require principals to immediately report incidents to law enforcement
- Require schools to provide anti-bullying resources
- Cover cyberbullying on social media, even outside school hours
- Send offending youth through juvenile court rehabilitation
Juvenile Consequences
Children charged would enter a rehabilitation-focused juvenile process including:
- Probation
- Community service
- Mandatory counseling
- Secure detention in serious cases
Current Status
January 2026 — Introduced
Senator Bill Stanley formally introduced SB265 to the Virginia General Assembly. The bill passed the Senate Education Subcommittee unanimously.
February 2026 — Continued to 2027
The Virginia Senate Courts of Justice Committee voted 9–6 to continue SB265 to the 2027 General Assembly session — delaying, but not defeating, the bill.
2027 — The Fight Continues
Autumn's family, Pastor McCracken, and advocates across Virginia are committed to seeing the bill through. The 2027 General Assembly session will be the next opportunity to pass the law.
"We can't have another mother burying their child before they've lived their full life. Autumn Bushman was a beautiful life force, and we could've done something about it."
— Senator Bill Stanley
You Are Not Alone
If you or someone you know is being bullied or struggling, please reach out. Autumn's story matters — and so does yours.