Lakeland, Florida: A 12-year-old girl committed suicide after she was bullied online by more than a dozen girls and a sheriff said Thursday that he is investigating whether he can file charges under a new Florida state law that covers cyber-bullying.
Sheriff Grady Judd said that Rebecca Ann Sedwick jumped to her death on Monday at an old cement business. Investigators say the girl was despondent after others had posted hate messages about her online.
Sedwick was "absolutely terrorized on social media," Judd said.
The Lakeland Ledger (http://bit.ly/1enEgI5) reports that detectives found multiple social media applications where Sedwick was constantly bullied with messages, including "Go kill yourself," and "Why are you still alive?"
He said parents of all 15 girls have cooperated with detectives and several cellphones and laptops have been confiscated. Judd said charges could be filed - including cyber stalking.
"If we can get any evidence of a criminal offense, the person or persons involved will be punished," he said.
Before her death, Sedwick had searched questions online related to suicide, including "How many over-the-counter drugs do you take to die?" and "How many Advil do you have to take to die?"
Detectives also found photos of Sedwick with razor blades lying on her arms and with her head resting on a railroad track, Judd said.
Judd said a 12-year-old boy in North Carolina, who Sedwick met through social media, knew of her plan. Sedwick messaged him only hours before her death saying she was dead and "I'm jumping, I can't take it anymore."
Sedwick also changed her name on a free messaging application to "That Dead Girl."
Judd said detectives are trying to investigate the social media applications that Sedwick used, including Kik and Ask.fm, but many of the websites are based in other countries.
If detectives can find evidence, according to Florida law, the girls could be charged with felony cyber stalking because Sedwick was under 16 years old.
"If you bully somebody online and it's reported to us and we can build a credible case, we will charge you," Judd said.
Sheriff Grady Judd said that Rebecca Ann Sedwick jumped to her death on Monday at an old cement business. Investigators say the girl was despondent after others had posted hate messages about her online.
Sedwick was "absolutely terrorized on social media," Judd said.
He said parents of all 15 girls have cooperated with detectives and several cellphones and laptops have been confiscated. Judd said charges could be filed - including cyber stalking.
Advertisement
Before her death, Sedwick had searched questions online related to suicide, including "How many over-the-counter drugs do you take to die?" and "How many Advil do you have to take to die?"
Advertisement
Judd said a 12-year-old boy in North Carolina, who Sedwick met through social media, knew of her plan. Sedwick messaged him only hours before her death saying she was dead and "I'm jumping, I can't take it anymore."
Advertisement
Judd said detectives are trying to investigate the social media applications that Sedwick used, including Kik and Ask.fm, but many of the websites are based in other countries.
Advertisement
"If you bully somebody online and it's reported to us and we can build a credible case, we will charge you," Judd said.
COMMENTS
Advertisement
US Woman Accidentally Runs Over 12-Year-Old Daughter On First Day Of School Drop-off US Woman Charged After Allegedly Drowning Roommate's Pet Spider In Soda Can Cocaine Worth $1 Million Washed Up On Florida Shore During Hurricane Debby "No Ifs And Buts": Chirag Paswan Wants Quota In UPSC Lateral Entry The Questions CBI Asked Kolkata Hospital Ex-Head About Doctor's Rape-Murder Sudha Murty's Raksha Bandhan Post Stirs Debate On X. What She Said "Young Crowd Understands Civil Code, Welcome It": Goa Chief Minister To NDTV Sahitya Akademi Invites Applications For Editorial Positions, Details Here Woman Gets New Lease Of Life On Rakhi After Younger Brother Donates Kidney Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.