Greenville, South Carolina: Family Sues School District Over Alleged Bullying and Suicide Attempt
The parents of a 12-year-old Black girl are filing a lawsuit against her teachers and the Greenville County school district, claiming negligence in addressing bullying that led to their daughter’s suicide attempt. Ty Turner found her daughter, Kelaia, hanging in her bedroom on March 18, 2023. Kelaia was unresponsive, with paramedics unable to detect a heartbeat for eight minutes.
A Troubling History of Bullying
Kelaia Turner, now 14, has suffered from severe brain damage resulting from the attempt, spending 101 days in the hospital in a coma. She is now nonverbal and requires constant care due to her condition. The lawsuit alleges the bullying began when Kelaia attended Dr. Phinnize J. Fisher Middle School in August 2021, escalating to harassment that included derogatory comments from classmates and a lack of intervention from teachers.
The complaint cites specific instances of bullying during that period. In December 2021, Kelaia was verbally attacked in class, where a teacher reportedly pointed her out while students called her names like “a roach.” Ty Turner reached out to both the teacher and school principal, mentioning in her email that such actions could lead to tragedy, based on previous cases of children taking their own lives due to bullying.
Inadequate Response from School Officials
Despite the family’s efforts to address the issue, Kelaia reportedly faced continuous harassment, referred to as “Trans” and “Mustache Face,” among other insults. The lawsuit claims that the school failed to adequately respond to numerous complaints, even during incidents when Kelaia was physically harmed, such as having water poured over her clothes and being shoved by other students.
Documents indicate that despite Kelaia’s parents meeting with school officials, including discussions about separating Kelaia from the student leading the bullying, no effective actions were taken to protect her. The bullying incidents allegedly continued throughout 2022, with Kelaia experiencing multiple altercations without any disciplinary action taken against the offending students.
Consequences and Ongoing Care
After Kelaia attempted suicide, two students allegedly visited her in the ICU and shared photos of her condition on social media, compounding the family’s distress. The lawsuit claims that but for the school’s negligence, Kelaia would not have encountered such bullying and would not have attempted to take her own life.
Ty Turner has been vocal about the changes that need to happen regarding bullying and its severe implications. “Unfortunately, words do hurt,” she said, highlighting the importance of how children perceive acceptance among peers.
Seeking Justice
The family of Kelaia is seeking compensatory and punitive damages to cover medical costs, necessary ongoing care, and emotional distress. They also emphasize potential costs associated with Kelaia’s long-term disability and the various forms of therapy she may require for the rest of her life.
School District’s Response
In response to these allegations, the Greenville County School District denied most claims made by the Turners and asserted that all staff followed proper protocols. The district did admit that the teacher pointed to Kelaia in the derogatory context but maintained that they believed they acted appropriately in investigating the incidents reported.
Looking Ahead
As the case moves into the discovery phase, the Turners’ pursuit of justice highlights significant issues surrounding bullying in schools. Advocates emphasize the necessity of creating safe environments for students to thrive without fear of harassment. The family has also initiated a GoFundMe campaign to assist with the mounting costs of Kelaia’s care.
