“I Sent My Baby There To Learn, Not To Die”: 12-Year-Old Commits Suicide At School Over Bullying
If you were ever a kid, then chances are you were bullied at one time or another. But looking back at it, we are doing so as an adult with a mature mind. Children’s brains aren’t developed enough to understand that nothing lasts forever.
When 12-year-old Stormiyah Denson-Jackson took her own life in her dorm room she couldn’t see an end to the unendurable bullying she suffered at SEED Public Charter School of Washington DC…so she ended it herself.
The child was found hanging by her roommates hours after she'd committed the act. According to some reports, she was bullied because she liked math and science.
Stormiyah’s mother, Pat Denson, is devastated. “I sent my baby there to learn, not to die,” she said. “I just can't understand it.”
The child's mother questioned the school through her tears. “They supposed to look in the room and look on the bed to make sure that that child is in her space, every hour on the hour. That's what's supposed to be done. But it wasn't done. My child would be still here,” Denson said. “I trusted them people with my child.”
A school spokesperson countered, saying the security and safety of students are the school's top priorities. But she declined to speak about individual students, many of whom claim they were bullied too. One mom even said her son was sexually abused there, and the school did nothing.
A few days later, SEED held a meeting to discuss this tragedy... but didn't invite Denson.
“It's really sad that at 12 years old you feel like the only solution is to take your life. It's heartbreaking,” said Keana Bedney-Wallace, the parent of another student at SEED Charter. “I'm a mom of five, and I couldn't imagine. I pray for the family, that they get through this.”
The beautiful and bright seventh-grader won awards in modeling competitions and was looking forward to going to college. This is such a sad and horrible waste.
Ebony reported Stormiyah’s death follows closely behind the deaths of two separate instances in which young Black girls have taken their lives. In November 2017, 10-year-old Ashawnty Davis of Colorado hung herself in her home after being bullied by peers. The next month, 8-year-old Imani McCray of New Jersey also hung herself. Last January, Rolling Out reported the suicide rates among Black children, although low in comparison to that of other ethnic groups, has tripled.
Anyone, no matter how young, can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or reach out to the Crisis Text Line by texting 'Home' to 741741. Please make sure your kids know this, even if they seem fine.
Should SEED Charter be held responsible for this babygirl's death? Weigh in here!
#RIPStormiyah
