A Catholic school in New York City is facing questions after one of its students committed suicide, an apparent victim of bullying which the victim's family blames on school authorities.
Daniel Fitzpatrick, 13, a seventh grade school student of Holy Angels Catholic Academy, The teen was found dead by an older sister in the attic of his family home in Brooklyn, New York City on Aug. 11, a belt wrapped around his neck, the New York Daily News reports.
Several weeks before, Fitzpatrick reportedly wrote a letter saying, "I gave up." In the letter, the boy said he was "constantly" bullied by five boys at school, adding that in his fight with one of them he fractured his pinkie finger. He said his teachers "didn't do anything" to help him deal with his problem.
"My son shouldn't have to die to be heard," his mother Maureen Fitzpatrick told the New York Daily News. "There's something wrong with the adults in authority positions when kids can't go to them for help...No parent is supposed to bury their child."
The boy's sister, who also studies in the same school, further alleged that one of teachers, who is allegedly notorious for humiliating students, called Daniel "lazy" and would display students' scores to embarrass those who behaved poorly.
Speaking for the school, the Diocese of Brooklyn said they "take the issue of bullying very seriously and address every incident that is brought to our attention."
Carolyn Erstad, a spokeswoman for the diocese, expressed grief over the incident but obliquely denied the charges raised by the victim's family. The teachers at the school have undergone comprehensive anti-bullying training and intervened in any conflict among students, including the one involving Fitzpatrick, the spokeswoman told The Tablet, the newspaper of the Diocese of Brooklyn.
She said the school disciplined anyone involved in bullying and that the school invited police to discuss bullying before classes, including Fitzpatrick's.
Nevertheless, Erstad said the diocese is reexamining all bullying prevention policies and training.
"The principal, teachers, and staff of Holy Angels Catholic Academy are heartbroken over the loss of Danny Fitzpatrick," she said, according to the New York Daily News.
Brooklyn Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio also expressed grief over the boy's death. "We mourn the passing of Daniel Fitzpatrick. His family is in our prayers," he said, according to the diocese's newspaper The Tablet.
"While there are many unanswered questions, it is indisputable that this is an unspeakable tragedy," he said, adding "We must always remain vigilant and attentive to the emotional needs of the children in our care."
