Rebecca Sedwick is a Polk County high school student who died by suicide after allegedly being bullied. After the teen’s unfortunate death, her mother, Tricia Norman, released a statement in late October indicating she plans on exploring all potential legal options and wants “justice” for her daughter’s death.
The attorneys representing the teen’s mother, a team that includes former Florida governor Charlie Crist, explained to the press how they haven’t ruled out pursuing a civil suit against the local school board, as well as the parents of the two girls accused of bullying Sedwick.
Teenage Girl was Terrorized
After being stalked, taunted, and threatened, Sedwick climbed a silo tower at an abandoned factory close to her home and jumped to her death. The bulk of the bullying and harassment was carried out online through Facebook messages. Two young girls, ages 12 and 14, were arrested last week and face felony aggravated stalking charges. The Polk County Sheriff’s office claims to have documented proof that both girls blatantly “terrorized” the teen and then demonstrated a purposeful lack of remorse for Sedwick’s death.
The attorney representing Shaw for the felony criminal charges told ABC News they have entered a not guilty plea with the county clerk.
Jose Baez is a criminal defense attorney whose name populated national headlines during and after his successful defense of Casey Anthony against murder charges in the death of her two-year-old daughter Caylee Anthony. Baez has been hired to represent the second defendant, an unnamed 12-year-old also facing felony charges.
Mother of Accused Bully Prosecuted for Child Abuse
Last week, Shaw’s mother, Vivian Vosburg, 30, was arrested on unrelated charges. Media publicity over her daughter’s arrest triggered tips to police about a video on Facebook showing Vosburg beating several of her children. The videos provided strong evidence and Vosburg was arrested and charged with child abuse and neglect.
In a recent press conference, Tricia Norman and her attorneys also appealed to the public for help paying for her daughter’s funeral. They’ve also created a website to help raise money for the young teen’s funeral costs and to support future anti-bullying initiatives and awareness programs.
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