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Family members admit that the signs were there.
After repeatedly indicating that they were bullied and felt ostracized, Paige Moravetz and Haylee Fentress took their lives at a sleepover in what family members believe was a suicide pact.
Moravetz's cousin Hillary Settle tells the TODAY Show that Fentress had posted a telling status update directed at Moravetz on Facebook shortly before their deaths:
"I'm so nervous and I just want to get it over with. I love you, Paige."
The two eighth graders from southwestern Minnesota hanged themselves at a sleepover Friday night at Fentress' house. Her mother discovered their bodies Saturday morning, according to the TODAY Show.
Moravetz, a hockey star remembered for her big smile, and Fentress, a newcomer to Minnesota with a bubbly personality, were best friends.
Still, Fentress had sent her relatives Facebook messages describing how hard it was to have recently moved from Indiana, saying that she was sad and lonely. Those close to her say that she was teased about her weight and her red hair.
Settle tells the TODAY Show:
"Maybe we should have paid closer attention. Maybe everyone should have paid closer attention."
Fentress' mother and her older sister released a statement saying they believe bullying played a role in the suicides:
"We need to stop pretending this isn't happening or that is just a cry for attention because obviously it is not. This needs to be talked about and we need to try to prevent this by teaching kids in school, community and at home. They need to know they are not alone. It shouldn't take more tragedies to realize this."
The two girls became friends about a year ago after Fentress moved to Minnesota from Indiana. Moravetz's uncle says she took Fentress under her wing and was even teaching her to skate.
They grew so close that Fentress was recently expelled from school after getting into a fight to defend Moravetz when other students allegedly harassed her, according to ABC. Robin Settle, Fentress' aunt, says that was just her nature:
"She stood up for the underdogs and she was one herself," Settle said.
Sigh.
I HATE bullies.
True. Instead, they are practically using Sharia Law by punishing the victim as well as the victimizer. Both are sent home. Wtf is that all about?
Teachers teach. Principles run the school. Fire those who do nothing. Hire those with balls and gumption.
True. Instead, they are practically using Sharia Law by punishing the victim as well as the victimizer. Both are sent home. Wtf is that all about?
Teachers teach. Principles run the school. Fire those who do nothing. Hire those with balls and gumption.
Schools are scared, they are broke and cannot afford lost suits so they punish the victim and aggressor, you are correct it is Shariah Law.
Sigh.
I HATE bullies.
I know and it seems to be just getting worse, I worry about these kids nowadays, so many bad things out there.
It's unfortunate that the schools don't do more to protect bullied kids, and it's obviously ridiculous that the victim is treated as an offender as well, but at the end of the day you are responsible for yourself because you have to take care of A-number-1.
I don't believe there's any such thing as an unfair fight, because you do what you have to do to win. So if you're being bullied by someone and you don't think you can take them 1-on-1, then you bring something to assist you and you make SURE you take them. And I don't mean a gun or knife. Even if it's just something to pack your fist.
It's time these kids started sticking up for themselves and fighting back.
As I've said over and over, it all begins at home. Schools can only do so much, but they need to do more because obviously they were not paying attention. Nor the parents. Otherwise these two girls wouldn't be dead, would they?
