A 13-Year-Old Boy Killed Himself After Being Incessantly Bullied: ‘I Gave Up’

A 13-year-old boy took his own life last after being severely bullied in school. In a letter he wrote that’s now being shared on social media, he also claimed his school did nothing to stop the bullying. Daniel Fitzpatrick, who lived in Staten Island, New York, was often bullied about his weight and grades at Holy Angels Catholic Academy in Brooklyn–both physically and emotionally. When he asked his teachers and principal for help, only one teacher actually helped him. Meanwhile, boys threw balls at him during gym class, and one teacher called him “lazy” in front of the class. He wrote:

“I gave up. I begged and pleaded [for help].”

Just days before his 14th birthday, Daniel tragically hanged himself in his family’s attic. The family claims the school had sent child welfare workers to investigate the family instead of going after the bullies. When the officials came to the house, Fitzpatrick told them, “I just want a friend.” In the end, the investigation didn’t find his parents had abused him. When his grades had suffered that year, the school suggested he repeat seventh grade somewhere else.

Meanwhile, Brooklyn/Queens diocese spokeswoman Carolyn Erstad released a statement in the newspaper:

“In light of this tragedy we are reexamining all bullying prevention policies and training. The principal, teachers, and staff of Holy Angels Catholic Academy are heartbroken over the loss of Danny Fitzpatrick. We take the issue of bullying very seriously and address every incident that is brought to our attention.”

Erstad said the school did everything it could to stop the bullying, as Fitzpatrick received three counseling sessions at school, which was the maximum he could receive without his parents’ consent (although the family says they sought professional help):

“When the counselor reached out to Danny’s parents to get consent for continued counseling, the parents refused.”