Bailey O'Neil, the boy who was assaulted and bullied by schoolmates, has died, Philly.com reports Monday. O'Neil just turned 12 on Saturday. He was taken off life support on Sunday.
"Late yesterday, we were informed about the death of Bailey O'Neill," Stephen Butz, superintendent of the Southeast Delco School District said in a statement."Our school community is deeply saddened by this loss. Our condolences are with Bailey's family and friends during this very difficult time."
O’Neil had been put in a medically induced coma after a fight with classmates. His family says that he was a victim of bullying.
O’Neil was in the sixth grade at Darby Township School in Penn.
How the attack happened. Was Bailey O’Neil bullied?
O’Neil was hit several times by another student, according to news reports. His nose was broken and he fell to the ground.
O’Neil’s parents later brought Bailey to the A. I. DuPont hospital in Wilmington, Del. Bailey was treated and released.
Bailey’s dad, Rob O’Neil told the ABC station WPVI that he took Bailey back to the hospital after he noticed something was not quite right with him.
"He was sleeping. He was moody. He wasn't himself. He was angry a little bit. He wasn't really eating," the father said.
Bailey’s parents said that he was suffering from violent seizures and needed to be taken to the hospital again. Doctors at the A.I. DuPont Hospital said that the seizures became so severe that they needed to put him on a medically induced coma.
Father Rob Bailey told WPVI-TV, "Every day I'm trying to stay strong for him. When you get into that hospital room and you're looking at him, I would trade places in a heartbeat. It's my buddy, you know."
School officials say they are taking the charges of bullying seriously.
"We are very concerned about the medical condition of the student and our thoughts and prayers are with the family and students," Southeast Delco School District Superintendent Stephen Butz told ABC News.
Disciplinary action against the bullies?
School officials are being tight-lipped about any disciplinary action being taken against any student responsible for the bulling.
But ABC News reports that dad Rob Bailey said that the boy who hit his son was suspended for two days following the attack. Police say no criminal charges have been filed.
Bailey O'Neil's death after being bullied has touched the heartstrings of people both in the US and around the world.
Bailey O'Neill's family is getting support from an NFL star. That story is here: http://www.examiner.com/article/bullied-boy-dies-bailey-o-neill-s-family-gets-support-from-nfl-star
What do you think about how this case is being handled? Do you think that charges should be filed against the boy who bullied Bailey? Leave you comments below.
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