Wakefield parent alleges school failed to stop bullying of 12-year-old

A Wakefield, Massachusetts, mother says her sixth-grade daughter is afraid to attend school because of months of bullying and threats. Diana, who identified herself by her first name, told the WBZ I-Team that her 12-year-old has been targeted since the fifth grade at Galvin Middle School. The preteen, who enjoys playing softball, now worries about safety rather than homework or social life.

Diana describes the harassment as both verbal and digital. She said her daughter was called names such as "slut" and "whore." One male classmate allegedly told her she should kill herself or that he would kill her and then harm and rape Diana. Screenshots of text messages sent from an unknown account to the girl's phone included phrases like "no one likes you" and "I hope you drown yourself."

School officials said they investigated the claims. In an email, the principal stated they found other problematic messages on a male classmate's phone and responded according to their disciplinary rubric. The vice principal told Diana that a few kids were mean to her and that they were "in trouble." The administration moved the student who allegedly sent the messages out of the victim's classes.

However, Diana argues the school did not go far enough. The two students still share a lunch period. She recounted an incident where the boy mocked her daughter and threw food at her in the cafeteria. Diana believes the consequences are insufficient. "They don't give these students consequences, you know, and I agree with her," she said.

Recently, school officials suggested Diana's complaints were motivated by race. She rejected this idea, noting that everything is documented in writing. "I don't care who they are, where they come from, the bullying it needs to stop," she said. The Wakefield schools superintendent did not respond to repeated requests for an on-camera interview.

Diana has filed a complaint with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The department told the I-Team that the complaint is currently under review.