Mother of Bullied Girl Exploring Her Legal Options: Attorney

Attorneys for Rebecca Sedwick's mother have taken no legal action yet, but they haven't ruled out suing Polk County schools or the parents of two middle school girls who were arrested in connection with Sedwick's death, they said.

The mother of a 12-year-old Florida girl who jumped to her death after being bullied for months is exploring her legal options, her attorneys said Thursday.

Attorneys for Rebecca Sedwick's mother have taken no legal action yet, but they haven't ruled out suing Polk County schools or the parents of two middle school girls who were arrested in connection with Sedwick's death, they said.

"It's a difficult process," said David Henry, lead attorney for Tricia Norman. "There are a number of other children who also participated."

Among the attorneys representing Norman is former Gov. Charlie Crist.

"It's got to be stopped. It's got to be rooted out," Crist said at a news conference. "It's not like somebody getting shoved on a playground."

Two of Sedwick's schoolmates, who deputies say were primarily responsible for the bullying, were arrested last week. The girls, ages 14 and 12, were charged with stalking. The younger of the two girls is being represented by attorney Jose Baez.

He said she is being bullied by the legal system.

“She is not what her mug shot or what the headlines are portraying her to be,” Baez said. “She is a child and I’m not going to allow her to be bullied and I’m not going to allow the system to bully her."

Norman's attorneys said they have set up a website to help her raise $5,400 to pay for funeral costs. Any additional funds will be used for anti-bullying causes.

"A little bit of me is angry," Norman said. "I'm grateful for the chance to save other kids."

Click here to get to the Rebecca Sedwick Funeral Fund and Anti-Bullying Campaign.


Copyright AP - Associated Press
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