Charges dropped against girls in Florida cyberbullying case

[neoteny]

Charges dropped against girls in Florida cyberbullying case
Barbara Liston


ORLANDO, Florida (Reuters) - Florida prosecutors dropped charges on Wednesday against two girls accused of stalking a 12-year-old classmate who killed herself after complaining she was bullied online for months, a police official said.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd told reporters the two girls, aged 12 and 14, would no longer face charges of aggravated stalking and are undergoing counseling.

The two were arrested last month. Police said the girls repeatedly cyberbullied Rebecca Ann Sedwick, who became so despondent she climbed a tower at an abandoned cement plant and jumped to her death in September.

Sedwick was targeted because she had dated the 14-year-old girl's boyfriend, police said.

When the girls were charged, Judd publicly identified them and showed their mugshots.

On Wednesday, he told reporters the cases against both girls were resolved in juvenile court by placing them in diversion programs, and that both girls are receiving counseling.

Judd said the resolution of the cases was confirmed through the girls' lawyers. He said prosecutors cannot comment because the girls are juveniles.

"Arguably we could have gone to court with it but would that have been in the best interests of the children? I don't think so," Judd said. "I think the right outcome occurred."

"The 14-year-old who was the primary bullier, the one who was more aggressive, she is going to receive the services she needs hopefully to make her a productive citizen in our community in future years," he said.

The girls sent online messages via Facebook and other sites calling Sedwick "ugly" and telling her: "You should drink bleach and die," "Nobody likes you," and "You should go kill yourself," police said.

The 12-year-old girl's lawyer, Jose Baez, demanded an apology from Judd, whose handling of the case he said was "reckless." Baez has said his client was also a victim after her picture was shown to the media.

"They dropped these charges because they simply didn't have the evidence, and they felt it was the right thing to do," Baez said on Orlando's WESH television's website.

A spokesman for the State Attorney's Office in Polk County could not be immediately reached for comment.

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I thought jealousy and possessiveness were cardinal sins -- but apparently only when males commit it ...

[bluegrass]

We're going through this now with my 13 year old daughter though not as severe - yet.  It's been happening for going on two weeks now.  Basically the boy the Alpha girl likes, likes my daughter and now the alpha is on the attack.  Adding to it, apparently Alpha's mom refers to my daughter as a slut around their house.  Not that it makes any difference, but my daughter hasn't even ever held a boy's hand.

I've been on the phone with the school counselor several times each week and she's doing a decent job so far, but if it's still going on next week, I'm going to knock on Alpha mom's door and have a little chat.  Should be interesting since Alpha Dad is a local police detective.

The situation is so bad with girls bullying in school that they're having a special seminar next month on girl on girl bullying.

Imagine that disconnect in the context of the cultural belief that boys are more aggressive.  I don't ever recall any school around here needing a seminar to get boys to curb their aggressiveness.

[neoteny]

if it's still going on next week, I'm going to knock on Alpha mom's door and have a little chat.  Should be interesting since Alpha Dad is a local police detective.

With all due respect, I fail to see how you can come out ahead in a personal encounter like that. I'm seriously concerned for your well-being; maybe you should reconsider. Do you have access to local media? Raising a public stink is much more effective than trying to go toe-to-toe with an official heavy's family.

[bluegrass]

Yes you're right.  More likely a phone call.  After that Alpha mom will be getting a letter from a lawyer.

Girls like this are truly crazy.  Over the weekend Alpha mom wanted to resolve it and get the girls together, mostly because her daughter has a history at school with this behavior and she probably doesn't want another incident on her file.  My daughter basically said no - let's just not be friends, go our separate ways and I'll eat at a different lunch table (she's got plenty of other friends).  As soon as she disengaged the bullying escalated.