What prompts an 11 year-old fifth grader to commit suicide? What drives them to a closet with a belt to end their life? What could possibly be so bad that you cannot go on living? It comes back to that horrible world of bullying!
In Florida we have heard these bullying stories too often. In October 2009 Michael Brewer, 15 year-old, was nearly burned to death by other teens. In March of 2010 Josie Ratley, 15 years-old, was nearly beaten to death. In April 2010 Anthony Jones, 16 year-old, was shot and allegedly on a text hit list.
Now we have an 11 year old in Port St. Lucie, Florida, that felt life, just over a decade long, was too difficult to deal with. Celina Okwuone was found in her bedroom closet by her parents. Police say she used a belt to wrap around her neck and she had wrapped the belt around the metal shelving. Her father tried to lift her up and her mother tore the shelving from the wall.
According to reports, her parents later found her diary where she had written that she was being bullied by classmates at St. Anastasia Catholic School in Fort Pierce.
It is time to check your School Climate and BullyBust your communities! If you haven't had the time to form or take part in an anti-bullying campaign, start now.
Related articles:
Knowing Your School Climate
Take the BullyBust Pledge
Stop School Violence
Anti-Bullying Group Formed in Florida
Digging Deep into Depression in Kids and Teens
Watch video below. Start today to bully-free your school and community.
Many thoughts and prayers to the Okwuone family and friends.
Comments
Unbelievable! I just cannot imagine how society has gotten to this point where bullying is just ignored and children do not feel they have a place to go for help. My heart goes out to this child's family and friends.
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