LONDON, Ohio -- The family of an 11-year-old girl who committed suicide over the weekend say bullying led to their daughter's death.
Hailey Petee was found dead Sunday morning by her mother inside the family's home. "I come around the corner and I see her bedroom light on under the door, so I open the door and that's when I saw her and screamed for someone to call 911," a tearful Melinda Groce said.
Hailey's parents say their daughter wasn't bullied on school grounds, but was tormented on the bus and sometimes around town by a group of middle school students.
The bullying became so bad, according to Melinda, that she was forced to make changes to her daughter's daily routine.
"I had her transfer to a different bus and I wouldn't let her go anywhere in town unless it was to her neighbor's, where they had built her a clubhouse, or to her friends house," Groce said. "That was it. She couldn't even go to the park anymore."
In the weeks preceding their daughter's suicide, Groce and her husband say Hailey seemed to be doing better. She even made a "Bullying Free Zone" sign for her room -- but apparently, something was still very wrong.
"When these people, these kids, are killing themselves, who's being charged with that? Who's paying for it? Nobody but the parents," Groce said. "I think charges should be pressed against bullies. Even if it's just words, some kind of charge should be allowed against them. They should have to sit 30 days in jail to learn bullying is not acceptable."
The London City School District released a statement Monday, saying: "The London City School District is mourning the tragic loss of the life of Hailey Petee. Hailey was a 5th grade student at London Elementary School. As a faculty we extend our sympathy to Hailey's family and friends. London City Schools will also have grief counselors available for students and staff members. The school district is cooperating with local law enforcement officials in their investigation. We respect the privacy of the family during this time of bereavement and will refrain from any additional comments."
Hailey's mother said she never heard her daughter talk about suicide before her death.
Hailey Petee was found dead Sunday morning by her mother inside the family's home. "I come around the corner and I see her bedroom light on under the door, so I open the door and that's when I saw her and screamed for someone to call 911," a tearful Melinda Groce said.
Hailey's parents say their daughter wasn't bullied on school grounds, but was tormented on the bus and sometimes around town by a group of middle school students.
The bullying became so bad, according to Melinda, that she was forced to make changes to her daughter's daily routine.
"I had her transfer to a different bus and I wouldn't let her go anywhere in town unless it was to her neighbor's, where they had built her a clubhouse, or to her friends house," Groce said. "That was it. She couldn't even go to the park anymore."
In the weeks preceding their daughter's suicide, Groce and her husband say Hailey seemed to be doing better. She even made a "Bullying Free Zone" sign for her room -- but apparently, something was still very wrong.
"When these people, these kids, are killing themselves, who's being charged with that? Who's paying for it? Nobody but the parents," Groce said. "I think charges should be pressed against bullies. Even if it's just words, some kind of charge should be allowed against them. They should have to sit 30 days in jail to learn bullying is not acceptable."
The London City School District released a statement Monday, saying: "The London City School District is mourning the tragic loss of the life of Hailey Petee. Hailey was a 5th grade student at London Elementary School. As a faculty we extend our sympathy to Hailey's family and friends. London City Schools will also have grief counselors available for students and staff members. The school district is cooperating with local law enforcement officials in their investigation. We respect the privacy of the family during this time of bereavement and will refrain from any additional comments."
Hailey's mother said she never heard her daughter talk about suicide before her death.