The parents of a 13-year-old California girl who committed suicide have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District, accusing officials not doing enough to squash the relentless bullying their child experienced.
Redlands Daily Facts reported that at Monday’s news conference Rosalie Avila’s father, Freddie Avila-Olague, accused the district of not doing “justice” for his family. The family’s lawyer, Brian Claypool, said that the conference was meant to put the school district “on notice” about the forthcoming litigation.
“She had so much to give to this world,” Avila-Olague said.
Claypool also claimed that the family complained to school officials on numerous occasions but nothing was ever done, according to the newspaper.
“It’s time to make some changes and force school districts to step up to the plate and protect children from bullying,” the attorney commented.
“Enough is enough.”
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Avila-Olague claimed he discovered his daughter hanging in her room on November 28. The teen, who was taken off life support on December 4, allegedly left a note behind in which she called herself “ugly” and a “loser” and apologized to her parents for ending her life.
“‘Sorry, Mom and Dad. I love you.’ And it said, ‘Sorry, Mom, you’re gonna find me like this,’” the heartbroken father recalled.
A news release obtained by KTLA indicated that peers told Avila that “she had ugly teeth, that she was ugly, a whore, a slut, and had sexually transmitted diseases.” In one instance, classmates shared a video depicting “what an ugly girl looked like and what a pretty girl looked like” and used Avila’s image as an example of an ugly girl, according to the statement.
READ More: ‘My daughter had the whole world’: Girl, 13, takes own life following years of bullying, parents say
The Yucaipa-Calimesa district issued a press release Monday stating that it is cooperating with the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Office in its investigation and that the district has launched its own internal inquiry into the matter.
“We strive every day to be a safe, supportive and engaging learning environment,” the statement read.
“We will continue to raise awareness and work with students and the community to support our children. The issue of suicide awareness and prevention is very important to discuss and address as a community.”
[Featured Image: Rosalie Avila/KNBC]
