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According to a recently filed complaint, bullies in South Carolina who encouraged a 12-year-old girl to commit suicide later paid her a visit in the intensive care unit to capture pictures that were then shared on social media.
In a 24-page federal complaint against school district authorities for ignorance, Kelaia Turner’s parents claimed that.
She was physically and verbally abused by classmates who called her a “roach” and a “moustache face” at the Dr. Phinnize J Fisher Middle School in Greenville County.
Ty Turner, her mother, has said that she thinks the bullying started when Kelaia started going to school with her hair natural and became worse over time.
She said that instructors participated in the torture rather than offering assistance and assisting in the decrease of instances.
Eventually, the bullying became so extreme that Kelaia was discovered hanging from a belt in her home bedroom.
It took rescuers eight whole minutes to resuscitate her. She spent weeks in a coma and ultimately spent 101 days in the hospital. The alleged bullies sneaked in and snapped pictures of her at this time.
After suffering significant brain injury, Kelaia is now dependent on a feeding tube and a tracheostomy tube for breathing, since she no longer has control over her body.
According to the federal complaint, Kelaia began being bullied in August 2021 when her classmates began teasing her and said she seemed “like a man.”
Olivia Bennett, her instructor, is said to have participated in the act at one time. According to the lawsuit, “Ms. Bennett was complicit in the bullying and did nothing to stop it with the other students.”
“Where’s the roach?” a student said, and Ms. Bennett gestured toward [Kelaia].” According to the complaint, Turner then complained about Bennett’s activities.
By email to both the middle school administration and the instructor, stating that “children committed suicide from this behavior in the past.”
The principal reportedly accepted her complaint the next day and said that they were “working tirelessly to repair whatever is damaged.”
Following the bullying, Turner and Kelaia’s father met with the instructor to discuss the situation and the need of separating their daughter from the aggressor.
However, on January 26, 2022, the student reportedly “cussed out” the preteen girl after learning that Kelaia had notified her parents. According to the complaint, he was never penalized for the argument.
It continues by stating that the bullying continued into 2022 “with no actions taken by the defendants,” citing more instances and complaints.
That Turner made to school authorities, including a brawl that broke out in March between her daughter and another student.
In the aftermath, she said, “the student who caused the fight was not suspended, but Kelaia was.” The lawsuit then claims that on May 23, 2022, one of Kelaia’s students performed a song named.
“The Black People Song” on YouTube, which instructor John Teer reportedly let to be aired without any remarks on its offensiveness, no reprimands, and no conversations with the student who performed it.
After complaining about the event to the principal and another teacher, Metris Cain, Turner was once again informed that an inquiry would be carried out.
However, Turner disclosed in October that another student ‘had been shoving [Kelaia] multiple times over the last month’.
According to her, school administrators only told Kelaia if it occurred again and never penalized the guilty pupil.
However, Kelaia’s clothing ‘had water poured on them and were subsequently tossed into the garbage’ at one point, and the bullying persisted.
Five days after confiding in a friend about her suicidal intentions on March 11, 2023, Kelaia was discovered hanging from a belt in her home bedroom.
Ty claims that it took paramedics eight whole minutes to bring the 12-year-old back to life.
She had already urinated on herself, had blood streaming from her nostrils, and was chilly to the touch. She was gone for eight entire minutes, and she had given her all to whatever it was she was trying to achieve.
The paramedics were unable to locate her heartbeat or pulse. Ty remembered, “There were grown men in the room crying.”
However, the devout mother continued to pray, and a paramedic discovered a weak pulse a few minutes later.
“I found a pulse,” he said. Though it’s quite faint, I managed to locate one. He should continue doing it, even if I have no idea what you’re out here doing. Kelaia is a wonder.
After being revived, Kelaia spent weeks in a coma, spent 101 days in the hospital, and had significant brain damage.
Nine faculty members and instructors, according to the family, failed in their responsibilities to “provide a culture of safety and an environment free from assault.”
The lawsuit also alleges that Title IX’s prohibitions on gender discrimination and the Equal Protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment were violated.
In order to compensate medical fees, psychiatric costs, special education, lost income, life care costs, disability care, harm to her mental and emotional condition, and diminished enjoyment of life, the family is now requesting real and punitive damages.
The family has been dealing with restricted mobility, no wheelchair van, and increasing financial hardship, according to an online fundraising.
“Believing that Kelaia has a purpose and that her story can inspire others, we are fighting for her healing and well-being every day,” the GoFundMe states.
“We need your help to help her not only survive but thrive-through donations for home care, medical needs, and a wheelchair-accessible van.” It has collected more than $10,400 for the family as of Monday night.
Officials from the school system, however, have strongly refuted any claims of carelessness or ignorance.
“The District is aware of the allegations made by this parent and has addressed them directly with the parent,” a Greenville County Schools representative said in a statement.
We have thoroughly investigated and reviewed each of the complaints at the time they were made, and we disagree with them.
Our sympathies are with Kelaia Tecora Turner, her mother, and their family, even if we disagree with the accusations.
Students are taught anti-bullying techniques and programs in every school, including how to spot bullying and report it.
When a school receives a report of suspected bullying, it looks into the matter quickly, carefully, and discreetly.
In the case that improper behavior is discovered, disciplinary action is taken against the offending student and preventative measures are put.
In place to stop future instances of the same behavior. Law enforcement is informed if the claimed behavior may be unlawful in nature.