Parents say bullying led to suicide of daughter, 11

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PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - The family of a 11-year-old Catholic school student who committed suicide said the girl suffered from years of bullying.

Celina Rebecca Okwuone hanged herself in her closet May 20, Port St. Lucie police said. Investigators said they found no indication she was under "above-average pressure" for a child of her age. Her parents disagreed in a statement released Thursday.

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"We are disturbed by the police department's findings ... that there was no crime against our daughter," parents Celestine and Ileana Okwuone wrote in the statement. "We know that harm was done, whether it can be proven in a court of law or not."

Celina attended St. Anastasia Catholic School in Fort Pierce, Fla. The Okwuones, who would comment Thursday only through the statement, said they met with the principal to discuss how the students and some teachers were treating Celina.

"We believe the school could have done more to intervene," the Okwuones said. "These are not your traditional bullies. The tormenting is more emotional and personal, verbal and sometimes electronic -- but meant to hurt and embarrass. Adults may not be able to stop bullying from happening once, but they have a responsibility to create an environment where it is unacceptable."

Police said Celina's diary had entries that indicated she was being bullied. The abuse continued until the night of her death, according to the parents' statement.

"The night Celina died, we know students texted her nasty messages, mocking her fondness for her favorite musician, her weight, and calling her names like ugly, blacky and (expletive)."

But those who cared about Celina have reached out to her family, her parents said.

"We do not believe she had any idea the impact her death would have on so many, and she would never do anything to hurt those who she loved the most," the Okwuones said. "Celina made friends with the wrong people and had no idea how many other children here loved and cared about her."

Police and school officials could not be reached for comment Thursday to respond to the parents' statement.

http://www.scrippsnews.com/node/54122