Jasmine McClain, 10, Hangs Herself After Bullying
Jasmine McClain, a beautiful, bubbly, and bright 10-year-old girl from Columbus, N.C., committed suicide after months of abuse at the hands of her classmates at Chadbourne Elementary School. The news comes just one week after bullied 10-year-old Ashlynn Conner took her own life and two months after 14-year-old Jamey Rodemeyer, who received international acclaim for his viral video “It Gets Better,” tragically killed himself.
McClain was found hanging in her bedroom by her mother, Samantha West, at their home in Chadbourn, North Carolina. “I just lost it because she took her last breath in my arms,” West told WRAL-TV. “She was a loving child. I just don’t understand. It’s a shame that kids are that cruel. It really is…”
Police Chief Steven Shaw, who was investigating the case, quickly ruled it as a suicide until he started to investigate a Facebook page that had been created in her honor. “Children started coming forward and making accusations that she was bullied—and bullied bad—in school,” Shaw said. “Everyone that we have spoken to, there are little indicators—not huge indications—but small indications that she was not happy.”
Flags outside Chadbourne Elementary School continue to fly at half-mast in honor of Jasmine’s memory.
If you or someone you know is being bullying, call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or visit stopbullying.gov.
