The child’s aunt, Eddwina Harris, spoke with Tuscaloosa News, and claimed that the alleged bullying at U.S. Jones Elementary School came as a result of a friendship with one of the boys at the school.
“She was being bullied the entire school year, with words such as ‘kill yourself,’ ‘you think you’re white because you ride with that white boy,’ ‘you ugly,’ ‘black b—-,’ ‘just die’,” Harris explained.
9-year-old Alabama girl commits suicide after being bullied with racist taunts, family says https://t.co/PZuo4y7QhH pic.twitter.com/RvDjMkOh4F
— The Hill (@thehill) December 12, 2018
An official cause of death has yet to be released, with attempts by Police Chief Robert Alston to get a copy of the autopsy report having proven unsuccessful.
McKenzie’s mother, Jasmine Adams, mourned the loss of her daughter in an emotional tribute on Facebook.
“My world is gone … my first love #stopbullying #antibullying,” Adams wrote.
Demopolis City School System attorney Alex Braswell, meanwhile, told NBC in a statement that the district is working with the police departments in the investigation.
“The Demopolis City School System does extend its heartfelt wishes and condolences to the family, friends, students and teachers that have been affected by this tragedy,” the statement read.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to McKenzie and her family. No child should be bullied to the point where taking their own life is preferable.
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