10-Year-Old Girl Takes Her Own Life - Police Investigate Bullying As Motive

Oct 25, 2019 by apost team

Bullying and harassment are serious problems in our society today. Too many look down on people and take pleasure in inflicting psychological harm.

In all of our interactions with others, it is important to remember the Golden Rule and to treat others the way you would want to be treated. Bullying is believed to have played a role in the recent suicide of a young girl in California.

10-year-old Allison Ruth Wendel of Santa Ana tragically took her life earlier this week, having been found at home by her 9-year-old sister. Those in her life have been devastated by Allison’s death. In a statement released by a family friend, the Wendel family told of how they lost a “great little angel.” Jacob Ortiz, Allison’s friend, and classmate at Hazard Elementary School told reporters with CBS LA that Allison was always nice to everyone, giving lots of hugs and telling lots of jokes. Many of the young girl’s friends attended a rosary vigil outside of Allison’s home on Monday evening.

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After reports that Allison had been bullied surfaced, the Santa Ana Police Department opened an investigation into the girl’s death, seeking to determine if the harassment she faced factored into her decision to take her life. While police detectives were at Hazard Elementary School earlier this week, the school’s administration said that there was no evidence to back up claims that Allison had been bullied when she was at school.

Hazard Elementary also has a Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports program designed to promote positive school culture. The school, which if part of the Garden Grove School District, further released a statement offering condolences to the Wendel family. Administrators added that grief counselors would be available at the school to help any student or staff member.

Additional reports indicate that Allison’s parents regularly monitored their daughter’s phone to make sure that no one was sending her harassing messages. Allison’s phone, as well as her social media pages, will factor into the Santa Ana Police Department’s investigation of her suicide.

A GoFundMe page was later established to help the family pay for funeral costs and grief counseling for Allison’s younger sister.

Our hearts go out to Allison’s family in this most difficult time. What do you think of the circumstances surrounding Allison’s passing? What should be done to stop bullying in schools?