Girl Survived Near-Fatal Suicide Attempt After Bullying. A Student Visited Her in the ICU and Took Photos: Suit
"We are fighting for Kelaia’s healing and well-being every day," said Kelaia Turner's mother
GoFundMe
Kelaia Turner.The parents of a 14-year-old girl have filed a lawsuit against their daughter's South Carolina school and other defendants, claiming their reports of bullying went unresolved
Kelaia Turner attempted suicide at age 12 and spent 101 days in the hospital
While in the ICU, a fellow student was allowed to visit and then took pictures of Turner and circulated them on social media
A student took photos of a 12-year-old South Carolina girl who was in a hospital ICU after she attempted suicide following months of being bullied at school, a lawsuit filed by the girl’s parents alleges.
Kelaia Turner, now 14, suffered severe brain damage and is now receiving round-the-clock care from her parents, who have filed a lawsuit against their daughter’s middle school, Greenville County Schools, as well as the girl’s teacher and other administrators, claiming that they were negligent in responding to bullying and harassment claims, according to the suit obtained by PEOPLE.
After more than a year of bullying, Kelaia attempted suicide. Her mother, Ty Turner, found her hanging from a belt in her room on March 17, 2023, she told NBC affiliate WYFF-TV.
"She was gone for eight whole minutes,” Ty told the station. “Paramedics couldn't find a pulse, and they couldn't find her heartbeat. There were grown men in the room crying.”
Kelaia spent 101 days in the hospital, including 31 in the ICU, according to the GoFundMe fundraiser created by her mother.
While Kelaia was in the ICU, one of her classmates visited her — and then took photos of her, according to the complaint. After the student called another student, “one of the two minors” circulated the pictures on social media and “assisted in spreading rumors about [Kelaia’s] injuries.”
Defendants named in the filing — including Kelaia’s teacher, Olivia Bennett, allegedly failed to stop the students’ bullying.
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“On Friday, December 17, 2021, fellow students were calling her a man and roach in Olivia Bennett’s class,” according to the complaint. “Ms. Bennett was complicit in the bullying and said nothing to the other students to stop it. One student asked, ‘Where’s the roach?’ and Ms. Bennett pointed to [Kelaia].”
In a separate instance, students in another classroom “played a song and video on YouTube called ‘The Black People Song,’ ” the complaint said.
“Defendant Teer allowed the song to be played without any comment on its offensiveness, nor any reprimand to or discussion with the student who played it,” according to the complaint.
Kelaia’s parents "continually complained" and brought attention to the bullying and harassment, according to the complaint. But, her mother wrote in the fundraiser that "despite our efforts to address the issue, nothing changed."
Now, the Turner family is seeking justice for the once “joyful and talented” girl, who is now wheelchair-bound and non-verbal.
“We are fighting for Kelaia’s healing and well-being every day, believing that she has a purpose and that her story can inspire others,” Ty added in the fundraiser.
Related: Police Confirm 10-Year-Old Boy Was Bullied Before 'Traumatic' Suicide: 'We Have a Problem'
In a statement obtained by WYFF from Greenville Public Schools, the district said it was aware of Turner’s allegations.
“We disagree with these allegations and have conducted a thorough investigation and review of each allegation at the time they were made,” the district said. “While we do not agree with the allegations, our hearts go out to Kelaia Tecora Turner, her mother, and their family."
PEOPLE has reached out to the school district and Josh Christian, the family's attorney, for comments.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.
Read the original article on People
