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[Also see below: “To This Day”]
12-year-old boy who was victim of bullying attack dies after weeks in hospital
By
David Chang, NBCPhiladelphia
March
4, 2013
PHILADELPHIA -- A young boy who
was the victim of bullying has died, according to
his family. Bailey O'Neill, who turned 12 on Saturday, was in a coma after
suffering several seizures. His family told NBC10's Katy Zachry that he died at
the hospital on Sunday.
Bailey's family says he was
jumped by two classmates during recess at Darby Township
School last January and
suffered a concussion as well as a broken nose as a result. He then began
to suffer seizures the next day, forcing doctors to put him into a medically
induced coma. Joy Fecanin, the boy's grandmother, told NBC10's Katy Zachry that
he had to have a blood transfusion after getting pneumonia.
On Sunday, the following
message was posted on the Building Hope for Bailey
Facebook Page:
I would like to thank
everyone who has prayed and supported Bailey and his family!! Bailey has been
the strongest toughest boy I know. He has fought this battle long and hard.
There just wasn't a way to fix this. I wish I could say he will get better but
I can't. Bailey has gone to be with God today :( I love you Jina Risoldi with
all my heart and I will help you through this. Bailey I love you!!! Please keep
Baileys family in your prayers!!!
While the students who jumped
Bailey were suspended for two days, police have not yet revealed whether they
will be criminally charged.
“I would like to see these
kids punished,” said Fecanin when she spoke to Zachry last month. “Something
has to be done. I don’t know what’s taking them so long.”
Delaware County District
Attorney Jack Whelan says
investigators are trying to determine if the injuries Bailey received in the
fight caused his seizures. Investigators interviewed kids and recess aides who
were on the playground when the fight broke out.
“We can assure them that we
are going to continue with our investigation,” said Whelan.
Bailey’s younger brother was
taken out of the school because his parents were worried that he'd also be the
victim of bullying.
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