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(Image source: Polk County Sheriff's Office)
BY BRIANA ALTERGOTT
Florida police arrested two girls in connection with the death of a former classmate. The
victim was reportedly bullied so ruthlessly, she took her own life.
Police say 12-year-old Rebecca Ann Sedwick was "terrorized" by more than a dozen girls.
They picked on her through message boards and over text messages for months. Rebecca
committed suicide last month. (Via WPLG)
They arrested two of those so-called bullies Tuesday — a 12-year-old and 14-year-old
— and charged them with aggravated stalking. WTSP released their names and photos, but
we have chosen not to due to their young ages.
The 14-year-old reportedly admitted to bullying Sedwick with an online post, and authorities
were worried she might do the same to others. (Via New York Daily News)
Police say the two girls didn't show any remorse before or after they were arrested.
"One of the girls made a post on Saturday night. It said, 'Yes, I bullied Rebecca, and
she killed herself, but I don't give...' And I've got to leave out this word, and I can
tell you the word is not 'damn.'" (Via WTVT)
Sedwick's family says they'll never forget the messages she received online.
"You haven't killed yourself yet. Go jump off a building." (Via CBS)
And sadly, that's what authorities said Sedwick did. They found her body at the bottom of
an abandoned concrete plant on September 9th. (Via Tampa Bay Times)
The cyberbullying apparently began nearly a year ago over a "boyfriend issue" between
Sedwick and the 14-year-old who was arrested. The two girls face felony charges because
Sedwick was under 16.