SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — Channel 9 learned the Seminole County teenager who took his own life had been bullied for years.
The family’s attorney confirmed the suggestions that had been circulating on social media, since the boy was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at Greenwood Lakes Middle School Wednesday night.
“The family lived in New York, the child was bullied in New York, they fled to Florida to leave the bullies in New York and when they got here, it continued,” said attorney Matt Morgan.
Morgan said the 14-year-old boy was small because he had health complications at an early age, and that made him an easy target.
Last year, Morgan’s law firm pushed for Rebecca’s Law, which would hold students, parents and even schools accountable for bullying.
The legislation was named after 12-year-old Rebecca Sedwick, who killed herself in Polk County after she was bullied by classmates on social media.
Morgan said the boy was bullied relentlessly because of his size.
“Parents often times think of these things as teasing, they think these kids are just teasing each other, but that’s not the case, these kids are torturing each other,” Morgan said.
Deputies said the gun the boy used to kill himself belonged to his father, but the details on how the boy was able to obtain the weapon are still under investigation.
Morgan said the boy’s dad went to the school about the bullying issue, but district officials said they couldn’t talk about any action that was taken because of student confidentiality.
“They have had to deal with emotions that no parent should have to deal with. It’s something that is every parent’s worst nightmare, having to bury their child,” Morgan said. This child was bullied, literally, to death.”
The school has bullying assemblies, speakers an anonymous drop box so students could tip off administrators.
The school also recently updated its social media policy, which punishes students for harassing peers on social media, no matter where it’s posted.
There is a vigil planned for the teenager tonight at Greenwood Lakes Middle School.
WFTV
