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Bullied Boy Dies: Investigation Ongoing (PHOTO)
Tragic: Bailey O’Neill has died aged 12 after apparently being targeted by bullies at school
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Heartbreaking End To Bullying Incident
March 4, 2013–Upper Darby, PA.
After a short stasis in a medically-induced coma, Bailey O’Neill, the victim of an episode of random school violence in Upper Darby, PA, has died, his father Rob O’Neill told ABC affiliate WPVI.
Bailey was involved in a fight involving two other local youngsters. He suffered multiple blows to the face and skull which caused a concussion and a frightful series of seizures. Days after the altercation and initial treatment, Bailey’s condition worsened and he fell into a continual, diminishing state of brain damage.
Bailey’s family celebrated his 12th birthday while awaiting possible improvement in his condition. Unfortunately, Bailey’s physical trauma proved too much for him to recover.
“He was sleeping. He was moody. He wasn’t himself. He was angry a little bit. He wasn’t really eating,” Rob O’Neill told WPVI last month.
Bailey’s condition took a turn for the worse and started having violent seizures.
Doctors at A.I. duPont Hospital for Children were forced to put Bailey into a medically induced coma almost two weeks ago
“Every day I’m trying to stay strong for him, but when you get into that hospital room and you’re looking at him, I would trade places in a heartbeat. It’s my buddy, you know,” O’Neill said.
Video evidence of the altercation in January was recorded by security at the Upper Darby Township School, but is still being investigated. Legal actions are pending the results of official analyses.
Though awareness programs are being integrated into school systems nationwide, bullying is still a cause for great concern. “Big kid” versus “little kid” has always been a common scenario in the modern school system, but utter violence and the impetus for uncontrolled physical outbursts are becoming more and more widespread. O’Neill was life cut short.
On Sunday, the following statement was posted on the Facebook page Building Hope for Bailey:
“I would like to thank everyone who has prayed and supported Bailey and his family!! Bailey has been the strongest toughest boy I know. He has fought this battle long and hard. There just wasn’t a way to fix this. I wish I could say he will get better but I can’t. Bailey has gone to be with God today 🙁 I love you Jina Risoldi with all my heart and I will help you through this. Bailey I love you!!! Please keep Baileys family in your prayers!!!”
Action News contacted Southeast Delco School District Superintendent Stephen Butz who told us the district asked Darby Township police to investigate.
The statement read:
“We have requested that the local police assist us in the investigation of this incident and are fully cooperating with their investigation of this incident. We are very concerned about the medical condition of this student. And our thoughts and prayers are with him. Due to the age of the students involved and the ongoing police investigation, I am unable to make any additional comments.”
O’Neill has advice for other parents when it comes to bullying.
“Keep an eye out for it, it’s something that’s very serious. Sometimes kids are afraid to tell their parents that they’re being bullied because of the embarrassment,” O’Neill said.
On The Web:
Bailey O’Neill, 12, Dead Weeks After School Bullying
http://abcnews.go.com/US/bailey-oneill-12-dead-weeks-school-bullying/story?id=18649201
Boy, who family says was bullied, dies
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20130304_Reports__Bullied_Delco_boy_dies.html
Father: Bullying attack leaves Delco 11-year-old son in coma
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/local&id=8983472