Dad believes bullying caused 12-year-old daughter to commit suicide

EVERETT, Wash. May 14, 2015 — Hundreds of students marched out of Evergreen Middle School in this town north of Seattle Monday as they paid their respects to a fellow student who family members say took her own life.

Twelve-year-old Amber Rose Caudel died last Thursday, and her father believes that bullying was the reason. Scott Caudel said Amber was picked on in person and online and ultimately she gave in to some derogatory remarks that were made about her.

“Amber wanted to be popular, Amber wanted to be one of those kids that everybody wanted to be with,” Caudel said. “It doesn’t matter if you knock their books out of their hand, or give them a dirty look, or call them a name, it hurts. It hurts.”

Lexy Greenwood, a family friend, said she went to the school Monday, along with Amber’s father and others, to help students grieve and urge them to treat other kids with respect.

“If I can help any families from having to go through this then it’s been worth something,” Greenwood said. “This was totally preventable and didn’t have to happen and I pray that no family has to go through this kind of pain ever, ever again.”

Greenwood said Amber was a beam of light with a heart of gold. She said Amber would always treat others with respect, even when things weren’t always going her way.

“She was so affectionate and had so much love to give anybody that she met,” Greenwood said. “The kids that bullied her obviously didn’t know her because she was important to a lot of people.”

The Everett Police Department is investigating the death and due to their open investigation they haven’t been able to say anything on the matter at this point. TheEverett School District says that they are always looking at their policies when it comes to bullying and added that they remain committed to zero tolerance for bullies in their school system.

If you or someone you know is feeling suicidal and needs to talk, help and support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). For the hearing impaired, call 1-800-799-4TTY (4889).

Source: USA Today