Heartbroken Parents Speak Out Against Bullying After 12-Year-Old Killed Herself
November 03, 2017
The tongue is said to hold the power of life and death (Proverbs 18:21). And sadly, bullying is proof. 12-year-old Mallory Grossman had her whole life ahead of her. But after months of vicious bullying, the sweet sixth-grader committed suicide. And now, her heartbroken parents are speaking out, urging the school system and other parents to take a serious stand against bullying.
All who knew Mallory Grossman of Rockford, New Jersey described her as a sweet and caring kid. She was involved in gymnastics and cheerleading, loved her friends and family, and even spent time making and selling jewelry to raise money for kids with cancer.
RELATED: Anguished Mom Shows The Heartbreaking Reality For A Victim Of Bullying: ‘I Want To Die, Right Now’
“Wonderful child – sweet, smart, kind, quiet,” her gymnastics coach, Paula Gehman, said.
Credit: Facebook/Mallory's ArmySadly, things changed drastically for Mallory in middle school. Cruel bullies targetted her and relentlessly picked on her for months on end. They looked for any and every way to make Mallory feel worthless -- taking to all forms of social media to bombard her with their vicious attacks. The cruel messages escalated from name calling to the point of saying “why don’t you kill yourself”.
For Mallory, there seemed to be no way to escape the torment.
Sixth-Grader Committed Suicide After Intense Bullying
Mallory's parents went to the school repeatedly to report the intense bullying, but say they got no help. They tried talking to the bullies' parents but just met resistance. They were in the process of exploring private schools for Mallory to attend.
RELATED: Dad Speaks Out After Bullying Leaves His 8-Year-Old Son Wanting To End His Life
But then, on the same day Mallory's parents spent 3 hours in a meeting with her school over bullying that took place that day, the sixth-grader committed suicide.
Mallory's suicide devastated her parents and rocked the community. It pointed a huge spotlight on just how serious bullying, including cyberbullying, is. And as they are left trying to wade through the grief of this unimaginable tragedy, Mallory's parents are speaking out.
In the wake of their daughter's death, they created the Facebook page Mallory's Army, where they are urging everyone to stand up to bullying and promote kindness. And in a heartbreakingly brutal post, Mallory's parents pleaded with parents to launch a full-blown attack on bullying, starting right in their own homes.
The Plea From Mallory's Parents Reads:
"After months of bullying at school, my daughter ended her life on June 14, 2017.
I've chosen to speak out about this.
And I need your help.
Credit: GoFundMeWe must manage, oversee, and parent our children's social media use.
Yes, you all suffer from 'not my child syndrome'...
Humiliation, Exclusion, and intimidation IS BULLYING!
The 'you can't sit with us' was only funny in a movie, not in real life, and certainly not for Mallory.
Her life in 6th grade was horrible.
We did our best, didn't allow her to have access to Snap Chat, limited her time, online...
Still, her bullies found access to her... it was their mission...
Now they have tears of getting caught... they don't shed the same tears we do... her family.
Suicide is now an option.
Children 10-15, it's the 2nd leading cause of death... that's right! #2.
Your child is more likely to DIE by their own hands, as a result of social media cyberbullying, than get cancer or in a car accident.
RELATED: Popular Radio Host Delilah Takes A Break To Grieve Son’s Suicide
This drive to "one-up" someone... exclude them, make fun of ... has to end with you.
The parents...
Your JOB as a parent is to teach them, there is always someone better than you, and less fortunate...
My daughter Mallory was full of life, she was a cheerleader, good student, well liked by her inner circle, gymnast, sister, daughter, granddaughter.. and was hated in the halls of middle school.
The target placed on her back, lead directly to her heart.
It's my mission to educate and create legislation that will hold your children accountable for what they post online.
The laws to force social media parenting are coming...
Start now before you wear my shoes..."
Let's Make A Change
Our hearts go out to Mallory's family. No one should feel worthless. And no one should feel as though death is their only escape from relentless bullying. We pray God will bring them peace, and we know He will use this tragedy to help others.
According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, potential signs of suicide include:
- Talking about wanting to die
- Looking for a way to kill oneself
- Expressing feeling hopeless or having no purpose
- Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
- Talking about being a burden to others
- Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
- Acting anxious, agitated or recklessly
- Sleeping too little or too much
- Withdrawing or feeling isolated
- Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
- Displaying extreme mood swings
If someone you know exhibits warning signs of suicide, call the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and do not leave the person alone.
h/t: Love What Matters
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Suicidal Man Survives Jump from Golden Gate Bridge
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Those Who Are Lonely or Isolated This Christmas - Your Daily Prayer - December 23
This Christmas, remember how precious you are to the Creator. Remember that there is nothing you can do or say that would ever separate His presence and love from you. It’s okay to go through Christmas feeling alone and isolated, but make sure you turn to God to fill those feelings of loneliness.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Those Who Are Lonely or Isolated This Christmas - Your Daily Prayer - December 23
This Christmas, remember how precious you are to the Creator. Remember that there is nothing you can do or say that would ever separate His presence and love from you. It’s okay to go through Christmas feeling alone and isolated, but make sure you turn to God to fill those feelings of loneliness.
Past Stories
- Husband Decorates His Neighbors' Homes For Wife Who Loves Christmas
- Couple Befriend Older Neighbor After Hearing Music Coming From His Apartment
- California Man Carpools With Adult Children On His Very Last Day of Work Before Retirement
- Family of Three Grows To Seven Overnight With Birth of Quadruplets
- The World's Oldest Dog Spike the Chihuahua Turns 25 Years Old
- Christmas Tree Planted Back in 1979 Inspires and Unites a Small English Village
- Dick Van Dyke Turns 99 After Evacuating From a Wildfire and Welcoming His Lost Cat Back Home
- Santa and Mrs.Claus Continue to Spread Christmas Magic Even With Santa's MS Diagnosis
- Little Girl Gets a Big Elf On the Shelf Surprise Honoring the Little Brother Who Passed Away
- Little Boy From England With Leukemia Delivers Over 400 Christmas Gifts To Kids At the Hospital
- Gold Star Family Receives a Big Surprise That Will Change Their Lives Forever
- 8-Year-Old With Down Syndrome Is a Hero After Saving Sister From House Fire
- Man Paralyzed At 17 While Snowboarding Has Found True Love and a Wonderful Life
- His Wife Passed Away, Now Their Special Tree is the 2024 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
- Granddaughter Captures Last Words Between Grandparents, Married For 69 Years
- New York State Police Rescue Woman Needing a Heart Transplant Stranded in Snowstorm
- Born the Same Year the Titanic Sank, World's Oldest Man Dies at 112
- Family Receives Support From School and Community After Losing House in a Fire
- Soldier Reunites With His Military Dog Yyacob After Years Apart
- Chicago Man Discovers That The Owner Of The Bakery He Loved To Visit Was Actually His Mother
- Husband Pays For 40 Pet Adoptions At Shelter For His Wife's 40th Birthday
- Parents Find Healing After Loss of Son By Donating His Beloved Key Collection To Little Boy
- Mom Dances With Son At His Wedding After Being Placed in Hospice Care 2 Weeks Before
- Grandmother and Young Granddaughter Battling Cancer At the Exact Same Time
- Community Brings Christmas Joy to Virginia Woman With Just Weeks to Live
- Four Friends Recreate A Fun Vacation Photo From 50 Years Ago
- School in Arkansas Mourns the Loss of Their Beloved Emotional Support Dog Abby
- 93-Year-Old Has Made Sure To Attend Every High School Football Game Since 1946
- Texas Mom Doesn't Remember Delivering Triplets After Rare Complication After Birth
- United Airlines Pilot Buys Pizza For 155 Passengers After They Make An Unexpected Stop
- Teenager With Down Syndrome Enjoys Playing Kickball After Parents Organize Neighborhood Game
- Woman in Shock After Finding Winning Lottery Ticket At the Bottom of Her Purse
- Australian Couple Walks Into Their Bedroom To Find the Cutest Koala
- 5 Boys and Their Father Were Saved By Good Samaritan After Explosion
- Daughter of WWII Soldier Finally Learns What Happened To Him, 80 Years Later
- Sisters Scream With Joy Watching Their 4-Year-Old Sister Take Her First Steps
- Her Mom Put a Message in a Bottle As a Child, 26 Years Later Her Classmate Found It
- This Missouri School Was Renamed After Their Much Loved and Dedicated Custodian
- Michael Strahan's Daughter is Now Cancer Free and Has Taught Him All About Perseverance
- These Two Newlyweds Found Love in Their Late 90s, After Meeting At Their Retirement Home
- Sisters Who Were Adopted By Separate Families Nearly 40 Years Ago Reunite After DNA Tests
- Oldest Living Person in the US Passes Away at 115, After a Long and Faithful Life
- At Just 20 and 22 Years Old, These Two Sisters From Minnesota Saved Their Family Farm
- After Over 450 Days in a Shelter, Boone and Rellie Find Their Forever Home, Together
- Sweet Kitten Named Coraline Loses Both Her Eyes, but Inspires Many with Her Spirit
- Donny Osmond Sees the 'End of the Tunnel' Coming After Performing for Over 6 Decades
- An Iguana Hitches a Ride on a Garbage Truck in Tennessee, Now Trying to Find Its Owner
- 6-Year-Old Starts 'Poop Scooping' Business to Help Animals and Adopt One of His Own
- Bride's Dad Drops During Father-Daughter Dance, but Things Lined up Perfectly to Save His Life
- Young North Carolina Father Risked His Life To Save a Couple and Dog From a Sinking Truck
Top Music Videos
The Statler Brothers 'Til the Storm Passes By' The Statler Brothers Live Performance
Jeremy Camp Jeremy Camp 'Ready Now' Powerful Official Music Video
Mark Schultz 'Different Kind of Christmas' - Live From Mark Schultz
Brad Stine Has Issues Brad Stine’s Hysterical Take on Adam Naming the Animals is Pure Gold
Kari Jobe Kari Jobe - First Love
Blogs
At GodTube, you’ll find daily inspirational videos to lift your spirits and encourage you in your walk with God. Popular videos include worship music from your favorite Christian artists, cute videos with adorable kids and animals, hilarious videos from Christian comedians, user-uploaded videos, and clean viral videos to brighten your day.