A classmate photographed a 12-year-old South Carolina girl in the intensive care unit after she tried suicide after months of being bullied at school, according to a complaint filed by the child’s parents.
Kelaia Turner, 14, suffered severe brain damage and is now receiving round-the-clock care from her parents, who have filed a lawsuit against their daughter’s middle school, Greenville County Schools, as well as the girl’s teacher and other administrators, alleging negligence in responding to bullying and harassment claims, according to the suit obtained by PEOPLE.
Kelaia attempted suicide after being bullied for over a year. daughter mother, Ty Turner, told NBC station WYFF-TV that she found daughter hanging from a belt in her room on March 17, 2023.
“She was gone for eight whole minutes,” Ty told the channel. “Paramedics were unable to discover her pulse or heartbeat. “There were grown men in the room crying.”
According to her mother’s GoFundMe appeal, Kelaia spent 101 days in the hospital, 31 of which were in the intensive care unit.
According to the complaint, while Kelaia was in the ICU, one of her classmates paid her a visit and then photographed her. After calling another student, “one of the two minors” shared the photos on social media and “assisted in spreading rumours about [Kelaia’s] injuries.”
Defendants mentioned in the filing, including Kelaia’s teacher, Olivia Bennett, are accused of failing to stop the bullying among the children.
“On Friday, December 17, 2021, fellow students were calling her a man and a roach in Olivia Bennett’s class,” according to the complaint. “Ms. Bennett was complicit in the bullying and did nothing to stop it among the other pupils. One student questioned, ‘Where’s the roach?’ and Ms. Bennett pointed to [Kelaia].”
In a separate incident, kids in another classroom “played a song and video on YouTube called ‘The Black People Song,'” according to the complaint.
“Defendant Teer allowed the song to be played without any comment on its offensiveness, nor any reprimand to or discussion with the student who played it,” per the lawsuit.
Kelaia’s parents “continually complained” about the bullying and harassment, according to the complaint. However, her mother stated in the fundraising that “despite our efforts to address the issue, nothing has changed.”
The Turner family is now seeking justice for their daughter, who was once “joyful and talented” but is now wheelchair-bound and nonverbal.
“We are fighting for Kelaia’s healing and well-being every day, believing that she has a purpose and that her story can inspire others,” Ty said during the charity event.
Greenville Public Schools informed WYFF that it was aware of Turner’s allegations.
“We disagree with these allegations and have conducted a thorough investigation and review of each allegation at the time they were made,” the district’s spokesperson stated. “While we do not agree with the allegations, our hearts go out to Kelaia Tecora Turner, her mother, and their family.”
PEOPLE has contacted the school district and the family’s attorney, Josh Christian, for comment.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please call 988, text “STRENGTH” to 741741, or visit 988lifeline.org.