Broward County School District Faces Bullying Lawsuit From Florida Mother

A mother in Coral Springs, Fla. is filing a lawsuit against her school district after she says bullying led her daughter to the brink of suicide.

Brianne, 13-years-old and once a student at Ramblewood Middle School, started acting up at home as a result of the alleged bullying. In one instance, her mother told her to go to her room and stay there.

"She said, 'Well, it's your fault if I commit suicide,'" Brianne's mother Randi Vanderheyden told NBC Miami.

But after a while, Vanderheyden became concerned.

"It was really quiet in her room and when we went to check on her, she was trying to hang herself," Vanderheyden told the South Florida Times.

Brianne's father took the teen to the hospital, and she survived. But the lingering effects of the school bullying and her attempt last to this day. Brianne is no longer attending Ramblewood, and is taking online courses from home.

In the lawsuit against the Broward County School District, Vanderheyden claims that Brianne was a victim of discrimination, hate crimes, bullying and harassment, among others, WSVN-TV reports. She told the station that she requested a school transfer for her daughter, a request that was granted, but was denied bussing.

The bullying reportedly began in January, when black students would toss out racial slurs, calling Brianne "white sl-t" and "white b-tch," according to the South Florida Times. At one point, a boy called her "Pinocchio nose," teasing her so loudly in class that others turned to look and laugh, according to NBC Miami.

"She started coming home saying she wanted a nose job, really depressed about her looks," Vanderheyden told NBC Miami. Vanderheyden's suit also claims that Brianne was physically harassed.

When Brianne's father went to complain to the school, the bullying only got worse. The issue is under investigation.

The suit seeks unspecified damages for emotional distress, psychological injuries and medical expenses, the South Florida Times reports.

"I felt sad, hurt that one, they weren't protecting her and two, I couldn't do anything about it," Vanderheyden told WSVN. "They need to stop it before something happens because we're lucky that we didn't lose our daughter, but many families have."

In August, teen music artist Rebecca Black was left her school in Anaheim, Calif. after reportedly being bullied relenetlessly for her hit single, "Friday." Her mother is now homeschooling her to avoid bullies and focus on her career.

Most notably, 14-year-old Jamey Rodemeyer of Williamsville, N.Y. took his life in September after being victim to years of bullying for being gay. His suicide came after he posted an "It Gets Better" video, encouraging kids to accept and love themselves for who they are, and thanking Lady Gaga for being his inspiration through her song, "Born This Way."

Following an investigation into the bullying reports, Amherts police said this week that the harassment Rodemeyer was subject to both online and at school could not be considered criminal and no charges would be filed.

Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Comments

[Hlynn]

09:57 AM on 11/29/2011

continued:


Bullying will not stop until the law steps in. Parents can ignore schools, they can't ignore the police. They need to file a harrassment suit against the bullies and their parents. Too many parents today are passive and expect the schools to solve all their problems. Parents need to contact the other parents. Don't wait for the school--which has no authority to make parents or students do anything--to protect your child. That is your child. You protect him.You protect her. Get the police involved. Document the bullying. Contact a lawyer and sue the parents of the bully.

But to do that the laws need to change. In the article, even the bullying that contributed to the suicide of a child was considered criminal and no charges were filed. So, if schools can't stop bullying and parents are too passive to take action themselves, and police won't step in, then what will stop it? Nothing.

[Hlynn]

09:57 AM on 11/29/2011

Wait a minute. This girl was being bullied and her mother told her to go to her room because she was "acting up" and when her daughter made a remark about committing suicide her parents checked on her "after a while"?!?! She should have been on that girl's heels and not let her out of her sight!

Here's the sad truth: schools really have no way to stop bullying. They can't kick out the bullies because all children have a legal right to an education. If they try to contact the parents of the bullies, then those parents either refuse to cooperate--including not returning phone calls and/or not attending meetings--or defend their child ("My child would never do that. What did the other kid do? How come you're only picking on my kid?").

[tazmodious]

12:44 PM on 11/28/2011

Bullying is not a school issue, it is a community issue. Parents need to act like adults and address the issues directly with the parents who are allowing their children to behave in such a manner.

I was bullied for a short period of time in elementary school until my dad went to the houses of each of the bullying children and gave their parents the what for. He was a high school science teacher.

I was never bullied again after that.

[ttsgw]

11:51 AM on 11/28/2011

As I understand, bullying is perfectly ok in the US as long as the victim doesn't have the correct view on relgion.

[tazmodious]

10:16 AM on 11/28/2011

It's becoming the norm for teachers and administrators to have to sit for hours handling disputes between families for incidents that have occured after school and off school property, on the weekends and over breaks.

Schools can adopt any number of anti-bullying programs and teachers can be ever more vigiliant in the classroom and in the halls with what time we can spare from learning. However, bullying will not stop unless parents begin to act like parents.

That means parents have to join together and directly adress those parents who are allowing their children to behave in such a manner. That means parents need to start adressing bullying as the law enforcement issue that it is with the police and the courts if all else fails.

If you want to live in a community, then act like it.

[tazmodious]

09:57 AM on 11/28/2011

Look CabinAgue, you wonder why you are facing resistance?

The teachers on this comment thread have all agreed to what you are saying. We want to do everything we can to prevent these atrcocities. We are telling you that our schools have adopted bullying programs you have presented. We are spending those precious 5 minutes we could be using to prep for the next class and go to the bathroom standing in the halls keeping an eye out on hundreds of passing kids. I often adress classwork issues with students in between classes so I also need to be attentive to them as well.

But then all you do is castigate us for not solving all of society's ills for you. You go on and tell us we aren't doing enough.

Well let me put it to you plainly. Teachers and schools can only do so much. We cannot drag students and parents off to jail. We can't make parents change their child's behavior, we can certainly try. We can implement every newest anti-bullying program that comes along and bullying will not stop.

It will not stop until the parent and the students are held accountable by the rule of law. It will not stop until all of the parents, along with teh schools, stand up to those parents who are letting their children behave in such a manner.

As your ID badge says, WE are all in this together. So back off already!

[CabinAgue]

01:23 PM on 11/28/2011

"The teachers on this comment thread have all agreed to what you are saying."

LOL!  Um, no they have not.  Several have told me repeatedly that anti-bullying programs are worthless (and that schools don't have time for them).  Without any proof of their ineffectiveness, either, I might add.  I am NOT saying that the chemistry teacher is responsible for an anti-bullying program, either.  I am saying the SCHOOL system is.  I am not even saying that any of this is very effective as late as high school -- research may show that if you don't implement a strong program by middle school, it's not effective.  I'm all about solid research (not fluff programs or expectations that teachers are omnipresent).  And about keeping kids safe.

"We are telling you that our schools have adopted bullying programs you have presented."

Some might have, though nobody in this thread has described a serious one, but it is clear that some -- likely even most -- definitely have not.  A random assembly that results in eye-rolling is NOT the kind of program I am talking about.

"We are spending those precious 5 minutes we could be using to prep for the next class and go to the bathroom standing in the halls keeping an eye out on hundreds of passing kids."

Since you are addressing me specifically, I'd like to point out that I have never recommended this as an effective solution.

You think I'm proposing you somehow be in all places at all times.  I am suggesting nothing of the sort.  I'm sorry you want to argue with me -- you can certainly find someone who may be proposing that, and argue with them all you want.  But guarding teens every moment is not possible, unreasonable and ineffective.

"I often adress (sic) classwork issues with students in between classes so I also need to be attentive to them as well."

As well you should.

You are taking this personally.  I'm not asking ANY teacher to single-handedly implement an anti-bullying program.  I'm asking SCHOOL systems to implement these programs, and to give teachers training on how to recognize bullying and what they should (and should not) do when they see -- or even suspect -- it.

"It will not stop until the parent and the students are held accountabl­e by the rule of law."

I'll wait while you find a statement I've made that said a bully should not be held accountable.

[tazmodious]

03:32 PM on 11/28/2011

"LOL! Um, no they have not. Several have told me repeatedly that anti-bully­ing programs are worthless (and that schools don't have time for them). "

Unless parents start acting like parents then anti-bullying programs in school are a waste of taxpayer money because it will not solve the issue.

Unless the parents get together in the community and approach those parents who are letting their children behave in such a manner, the school can do very little to stop it.

I wish I had a dime for every time a bully's parents were brought into a school conference and the bully continued being a bully.

If you don't want to approach parents alone, then ask other parents to come with, especially those who have children who have been bullied as well. Ask a police officer to come along and moderate the discussion. Start a parent anti-bullying coalition in your community. Use the law if necessary.

Bullying is not a school issue, its a community issue, which does include the school btw.

[Ally Gater]

12:45 AM on 11/28/2011

as a former victim of bullying all throughout my middle school and high school years - it doesn't get any easier. especially when you try to get the teachers or your parents involved.. it just gets worse.

after while, it just got too much for me to handle.. and although I LOVE my parents, but having parents that didn't quite understand what was going on at school at the time, didn't take the time to listen and would sort of "punish" me for acting out at home - thought i was being a "typical teen" (ie. go to your room) didn't really help either. so, needless to say, i can relate because i as well attempted suicide more than once and ended up in the hospital for over 2 months and was diagnosed as having severe depression. [because, well being told all those nasty things for such a long time REALLY makes you start to believe them after while.]

i graduated from high school almost 7 years ago and for as far as bullying has come since then, i am appalled at how little has been done to even ATTEMPT to stop bullying. the media LOVES to eat it up any story where bullying is the main focus, so i do not understand why they have not done anything more serious about it. do they not understand just how many people have been affected by this? well, i guess they never will until it affects them single-handedly.

[Ally Gater]

12:19 AM on 11/28/2011

as someone who was a victim of bullying all throughout middle school and high school - it just gets worse, especially once they find out you are trying to do something about it or you tell someone they are doing it.

i was hospitalized for almost 2 months with severe depression and attempted suicide a few times because the bullying just got to be too much. (and once they found out about that, it was soo bad i had to be put on "homebound" which THANKFULLY the school paid for) but when you come home everyday and nobody is understanding or willing to listen to what is going on or what HELL you are going through on a daily basis when you are at school, it is VERY frustrating.. especially when you are more or less punished for it! you honestly feel like you are alone in the world and it is the worst feeling ever!!

i graduated from high school almost 7 years ago and STILL nothing has been done to end bullying, it is pathetic. and since then, bullying has come quite a long way it is unreal. it just upsets me that people do not understand that they have such an effect on people, or that they just don't care!!

i still have some classmates of mine that contact me today that apologize for the way they treated me.. i mean, you can forgive but you can never forget..

[Carla Luck]

07:41 PM on 11/27/2011

Stupid statements made by persons who clearly have no concept of what it means to have a child bullied to the point of taking their own life. Until you do, you really should keep all the ignorance to yourselves.

[User1234567]

08:45 PM on 11/28/2011

Funny how ignorance tends to unify instead of divide people. But alas, if you had read my comment below, you would understand that I am not ignorant, and in fact very expierienced in this matter. I've studied evolution since I was a little child, rejected all stories sayimg everyone should be everyones friend, for I knew it was impossible. Through my studies, I've learned that bullying is basically a complex definition of "Alphas putting lesser pack members in their place." Case and point, if there is a group of jocks led by one kid, while the others are merely followers, there will tend to be some group division at some point or another. If one group member argues his point, and the alpha beats him down with some particularly hurtful words or insults, there are two ways the scenario can end: A- the offending gbroup member will slink back into his recessive state and go back to following the leader, or ending B- the group member will grow ev en more defiant until he challenges the pack leaders authority.
Bullyhing is just another form of social evolution/darwinisim. Now some may call me ignorant, but there's nothing ignorant about it I WAS bullied, I WAS physically and emotionally abused, but being the resistant one in my 'pack' if you will, I fought back, and I won. So refrain from calling those with experience on the matter of Alphas and Lesser confrontation 'igmorant'.

[justitia]

06:54 PM on 11/27/2011

The problem with America is that its own government serves as the role model for bullying. Ever analyzed foreign policy and the history of colonialism?

[batgrl94]

05:23 PM on 11/27/2011

I know exactly what that lady is saying about her daughter and a bully problem that schools cant seem to handle. I had to take my daughter out of one school and enroll her in another because of someones kid that cant act like a human being they would rather act like an animal. HELLO school officals WAKE UP and take notice of whats going on in your school everyday. When a child comes to you and says, HEY Iam being picked on or whatever. PLEASE dont tell these kids JUST IGNORE them or some lame ass excuse.. HELP them or your gona start seeing SOME MORE COLUMBINE HIGH SHOOT OUT again if you dont start paying attention to this.

[User1234567]

07:15 PM on 11/27/2011

In your words, you describe the child as "acting like an animal instead of a human being." Well, I don't like bursting bubbles, but we are animals. Evolution has proven this, and animals bully eachother. Alphas put down defiance by lesser pack members through brute force. In homo sapiens, note I do not use the term 'human', it is the same, only we have differant, more hurtful ways of doing this. I am sympathetic to what u r saying, being the bully of elementary school bullying, but I fought back, and I won. And about your school shooting comment, they'll happen anyway. You can't 'end' bullting, because it has been written in our genetic code through over 65 million years of evolution since the first proto-primates. Some people are just predisposed to this sort of behaviour, and you can do nothing about it. But if you are being bullied, I'd advise standing up for yourself like I did.

[meadowgold]

03:49 PM on 11/27/2011

Schools must adopt a zero tolerance policy for bullying with explusion not suspension the result for these punks. School boards usually react by forming committees where the difference and definition between teasing and bullying will be discussed ad nauseum. These cases should be handled in similar fashion to bringing a firearm on campus. The problem is the handgun is easy evidence where actually catching a kid in the act is nearly impossible. Districts are paid per student and unlikely to get tough beyond sending the kid home for a few days so a lawsuit is in order. Plenty of black kids are bullied by other black kids so race should not be an issue. A girl on Florida's Treasure Coast was bullied because she was black (private school) and committed suicide. There were no civil right marches as suggested by another writer and its all the same to parents who lost a child.
I am actually surprised there are not more Columbine type cases from kids who are teased. Finally, my neice says the most common bullying incident not discussed is lesbian bullying. She's right, I had no idea and its never discussed.

[daughterusmc]

07:23 PM on 11/27/2011

Instead of alegbra, we can discuss this...what a way to get ahead.

[CabinAgue]

08:28 PM on 11/27/2011

Have you ever heard the term "false dichotomy"?

[unclogum]

03:40 PM on 11/27/2011

School districts don't deserve all the blame. Parents are in there also. You go to Legal aid and ask them to write a letter reguarding bullying . Copy to the school board , principal , city council and mayor. Now your kids welfare is everyone's concern.

[justitia]

06:52 PM on 11/27/2011

It's easy to say if all parents are aware of the option you mentioned. Still, if school districts are pro-active and intentional in dealing with bullying the suit, and putting the whole school district in the spot light, wouldn't have materialized.

[tazmodious]

03:34 PM on 11/28/2011

Then go to the police. Start a parent coalition. Put pressure on those parents who are allowing their children to harm others. Use the law if necessary.

Bullying is a community issue, not a school issue.

[cruisepuppy7452a]

03:23 PM on 11/27/2011

No child should be bullied. No child should have to deal with bullies while attending schools. I blame teachers, principles, superintendants for not taking action against those who insist on harming others. It isn't funny, or a game, kids get hurt. I watched my own child become the victim of bullies while attending junoir high. She was beaten, raped, threatened at home and school. Nobody had the guts to speak up and do anything about it. When I complained on national tv about this, I was referred to as a helicopter parent. I wasn't playing the game. No parent of a child who is bullied should play the game. This is a crime with serious repercussions for the victim, thier families, friends. Instead of blaming the victim, its time to go after the bullys, and those who allow this to be covered up. Hold them accountable legally, as well as publiclly. I will not apologize for doing what was right for my child. Any parent who ignores the signs needs a lesson in child abuse. You cannot tell a kid to toughen up, take it or ignore it. It must be dealt with. Do we really want our kids resorting to dangerous means of escape? I did not and now I have a grown daughter, grand daughter and wonderful family.

[tazmodious]

04:26 PM on 11/28/2011

I'm truly sorry this happened to your child. It shouldn't happen.

But, may I ask, did you ever confront the parents of the bullies? Did you ever press charges against them? Get a court order?

[if7ate9]

02:53 PM on 11/27/2011

My question is what can the school, and parents for that matter, do to stop this? All the school can do is suspend the kid, which most students don't even consider a punishment and all a parent can do is yell at a child. Part of the problem with our children is that there is no punishment for wrong doing anymore. When I did something wrong, my parents used their hands as punishment. They wouldn't beat me, but a lil whooping was enough to make me reconsider my actions. Now if you even say something wrong to your child you either get arrested or have the child removed from your home. We're becoming a nation of cry babies.

[CabinAgue]

06:00 PM on 11/28/2011

You said: "Part of the problem with our children is that there is no punishment for wrong doing anymore." (then explaining that what you meant by "punishment" was physical)

What you might want to consider is that physical punishment is not only NOT a requirement for effective discipline, it is noted to be related to bullying.

Bullies are more likely ot (sic) have behavioral, emotional, or learning problems than their peers, and to have parents who use physical discipline

(From http://www.unh.edu/ccrc/bullying/)