Rebecca Sedwick family sue Polk Schools, Cemex and bullies Katelyn Roman and Guadalupe Shaw
The bullying case of Rebecca Sedwick made headlines and now the family of the Florida girl who committed suicide is seeking financial compenstion from the School Board of Polk County, Cemex Construction Materials of Florida and a former classmate. Each had a part in Sedwick’s death, says the lawsuit.
Guadalupe Shaw(Left) and Katelyn Roman (right) – free from criminal charges, are now part of another lawsuit
Tricia Norman, Rebecca’s mother, sought help from Morgan and Morgan to get “justice” and “healing.”
“I feel like I need to have some definitive answers and get some form of justice for Becca in order to start the whole healing process,” Norman said to Bay News 9 Monday.
In the lawsuit, the family is seeking at least $15,000 from each of the defendants. “The intent is to hold those accountable to account,” said David Henry, her attorney.
Lawyers said the school board failed to supervise and discipline one of Rebecca’s classmates after they were made aware of alleged bullying actions. Attorneys said if the Cemex property’s perimeter fence was properly in place, the 12-year-old would not have had access to the ladder to the cement tower, which she climbed before killing herself.
Back in November, the charges against bullies Katelyn Roman and Guadalupe Shaw were dropped after allegedly physically harassing Sedwick while they were students at Crystal Lake Middle School, as well as online.
The alleged physical and emotional abuse caused Sedwick to “suffer serious mental and psychological injuries during the school year,” which directly led to her death by suicide. The online attacks even continued until after the girl’s death.
The actions are called “exceeding all bounds of decency and utterly intolerable in a civilized community.”
Norman said she realizes the lawsuit won’t bring her daughter back but she said it could change things.
“If the people are found responsible maybe they’ll change and another kid won’t lose their life. Another parent won’t have to go through what we’re going through,” she said.
More on the Rebecca Sedwick on The Dispatch – click HERE
Rebecca Sedwick
[…] Rebecca Sedwick family sue Polk Schools, Cemex and bullies Katelyn Roman … “I feel like I need to have some definitive answers and get some form of justice for Becca in order to start the whole healing process,” Norman said to Bay News 9 Monday. In the lawsuit, the family is seeking at least $ 15,000 from each … Back in … Read more on The Global Dispatch […]
Katelyn is NOT part of the lawsuit, and the allegations of bullying were NEVER substantiated against the girls — especially Katelyn. You are bullying her by pretending harmful allegations against her are established truth.
As to Guadalupe there is NO evidence she had any contact with Katelyn for SEVEN MONTHS before her death and NO evidence she had anything to do with Rebecca’s death.
Stop bullying children by pretending allegations are facts.