POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A federal lawsuit claims the Polk County Sheriff's probe into a 12-year-old girl's suicide was more of a "publicity stunt" than an investigation.
The lawsuit was filed Wednesday by the lawyers representing one of two girls who were arrested on felony aggravated-stalking charges following the September 2013 death of Rebecca Sedwick.
The complaint states Sheriff Grady Judd and Deputy Jonathan McKinney used the girl's death as an "opportunity for media attention." The complaint claims their client was maliciously labeled as "the poster child example of a cyber-bully."
An October 2013 press release said harassment by the girls was likely a contributing factor in Sedwick's decision to jump to her death at a concrete plant in Lakeland.
Judd pointed the finger at Katelyn Roman, 14, and Guadelupe Shaw, 13. The pair was charged with aggravated stalking in connection to Sedwick's suicide.
Judd revealed an alleged Facebook post by Guadalupe, who used the name Guadalupe Borgen, that read, "Yes IK I bullied REBECCA and she killed her self but IDGAF."
The charges were ultimately dropped.
Sedwick's mother, Tricia Norman, told WFTV that her daughter had been bullied online for months and struggled with self-esteem issues.
"I keep waiting for an apology that I know will never come. This lack of personal responsibility is beyond upsetting," said Norman.
Sheriff's office representative Donna Wood said the claims "have no merit."
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