Remembering Phoebe Prince

Attorneys are expected to enter not guilty pleas today for three teens charged for bullying 15-year-old Phoebe Prince.  The teen committed suicide earlier this year after she was allegedly targeted and bullied relentlessly for months.  Nine teenagers, seven females and two males, are all facing a variety of charges including statutory rape, criminal harassment, violation of civil rights and disturbing a school assembly resulting in bodily injury.  This past Tuesday, three other teens entered not guilty pleas for their roles in this alleged crime.  Those suspects are scheduled to appear back in court on September 15, 2010.

Phoebe took her life on January 14, 2010 after she was allegedly bullied inside her South Hadley High School in Massachusetts and online.  Many reports indicate that administrators and staff of the school knew about the bullying and abuse, but did nothing to help.  Phoebe’s aunt even visited the school before her arrival from Ireland and told them about her bullying experiences overseas, and how they should be aware that her niece was susceptible to this type of abuse.  Reports indicate the teachers and administrators may have even witnessed physical abuse, and had full knowledge about the situation, but turned their heads to the situation.