Phoebe Prince: South Hadley High School Students Bullying Crime

by Yuliya Talmazan | March 29, 2010 at 11:31 am
9400 views | 14 Recommendations | 23 comments

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UPDATE: South Hadley Cyberbullies Could Face Criminal Charges!!!

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UPDATE: South Hadley Cyberbullies Could Face Criminal Charges!!!

Nine people have been charged in the death of 15-year-old Phoebe Prince of South Hadley, Massachusetts. The teenager, who is originally from Ireland, committed suicide on January 14 after what is believed to be months of relentless bullying by her classmates both online and face-to-face on the grounds of South Hadley High School. 

Nine teens have been charged with statutory rape, assault, violation of civil rights resulting in injury, criminal harassment, disturbance of a school assembly and stalking. Six of the nine have been identified, as they are no longer considered to be juveniles by the justice system. Their names are:

  • Sean Mulveyhill, 17;
  • Kayla Narey, 17;
  • Austin Renaud, 18;
  • Ashley Longe, 16;
  • Flannery Mullins, 16;
  • Sharon Chanon Velazquez, 16.

It is believed that the bullying was motivated by the "group's displeasure" with Phoebe Prince's brief dating relationship with a male student.

Phoebe Prince's death has caused an outpouring of rage about the amount of bullying going on behind the school walls in the United States. Numerous Facebook groups have been launched, advocating against bullying in memory of Phoebe Prince.

There is also concern over lack of action by school officials prior to Prince's death and failure to punish the culprits after the teen's death. No school officials have been charged in the case yet. There is no mention of the newly laid charges on the school's website.

The death of Phoebe Prince re-launched the talks of an anti-bullying bill that would require that anti-bullying be part of school curriculum, and mandate reporting bullies to police.

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9
Kati Hench

i go to South Hadley HS. The biggest jerk Sean Mulveyhill, is now like uber-cool in our school. He still has his facebook page and brags about all his 600+ friends on it. He struts around being cool and brags about all the "chicks" who can't get enough of him. We all know he's on steroids it's common fact but whatever. His friends started a group on facebook "Sean Mulveyhill is Not How He's Portrayed!". Great. It's all BS and i am so sick of how him and his followers keep getting off scott free well not anymore at least some of them are in trouble.oh and if you want something else to look at they also started the "I support Mr. Dan Smith of SHHS" group. lots of drama on there. it never ends i swear.

0
terri rohner

I'm a parent of four and i'm very aware of how my children treat others.  the parents of these bullies need to be prosecuted for allowing their kids to commit these crimes against phoebe.

0
polya

I am from a different culture and country, but I am equally enraged with what happened to Miss Prince. May she rest in peace!

And for those who are curious to see what the indicted look like (Flannery Mullins is missing).


1
Dublinman40

Shame on you the teachers and students of South Hadley High School. I have being reading about the rape and cyber bullying of Phoebe Prince in todays Iriah Times. As an Irishman living in Dublin I am repulsed and cannot believe an Irish teenager was treated this way by her so called school mates in her new country. Why are the teachers not being made accountable if they knew she was being bullied and harassed for over a month by so many school kids. So much for the land of the free   

0
Dublinman40

May Phoebe Prince RIP. I certainly hope the Prince family get justice for their deceased daughter. It is such a shame for a family to emigrate to the USA for a bright future and having to contend with a tragedy like this. Every school here in Ireland has an anti- bullying policy and the Dept of Education makes sure every school is up to date. I was under the impression US schools were modern and up to date. I cannot believe they had no anti-bullying policy in place.....it beggars belief in 2010.?  

0
B. Zelley

Another sad story of countless folks turning a blind eye while bad things happen.

2
pco

Thank you Polya for providing the link to see a picture of these sad excuses for human beings.  I was sure expecting something different than the rather unattractive group of five I saw. Wow, and they think they are "something", huh?  Why? No, really, why?  Must be the bullying because it sure isn't their good looks!  Maybe something is lost in the photo, LIKE CHARACTER! But no doubt, they have no character, not a one of them, so these probably are pretty good photos, eh?  Soul-less, character-less, thought-less and use-less humans, nothing more, whose behavior is most certainly contributed to by their equally soul-less...parentage.  Glad I don't live in MA.

0
Mardyinya

polya, how do you know Flannery Mullins is missing? Yeah, you're not going to find too many people upset about that. After what she's done, I hope she stays gone and never comes back. I hope this community shuns all of those indicted as long as they live there!! A girl is DEAD because of THEM.

0
cali222

I expected these "cool" kids to be better looking.  The girls are alot uglier than Phoebe was, and Sean and the other guy just look like pimple faced idiots.  I guess their ugly appearance matches their ugly souls.  It's gonna suck to be them when they go to meet God. 

0
Roisin Doyle (Irish Woman)

HIya call222,   I have to agree with everything you have said!!! lol. Phoebe was just a nice girl, trying to get on in a new school, all the bullying was something in any school that should never happen!! It's so sad that for wks before Phoebe took her own life!! she was abused, torture, violated, in such a way!!! Most Irish people here are in shock and annoyed for what happened!! Roisin Ireland  

0
Roisin Doyle (Irish Woman)

I am so mad and annoyed that a young pretty irish girl killed herself for what?? THose so called teenagers I wouldn't even call them that!! Evil, Rude, Ignorant, Scums of the earth, Why would they put a new Irish girl coming to their school, through so much torture, heartache, abuse,   How dare they, some cheek!! I am sure Phoebe was nervous arriving to a new school, new country, new teenagers, that's how they welcomed her, because she talked to a "popular guy" oh my god whats the world coming too,  The parents of these so called teenagers have alot to answer for?!!! They didn't show or tell their teenagers how to threat others or to behave!!!  Teachers arent angels, I am sure they are trained to recognise any teenager being bullied in such a way.  But no they ignored Phoebe's cries for help, they should be ashamed of themselves, bow their heads in shame, never should teach again, that's how strong I feel for what happened.!!!  I myself teach children here in Ireland, I assure you that would not happen here in Ireland.  I have been following Phoebe's story for last few wks,  I hope Justines will be the outcome for Prince's Family!! All those Teenagers are send away for along time.!! May Phoebe R.I.P. she is at peace now!! School Principal should be so ashamed and disguisted, All your staff should be send on courses how to recognise any bullies, or someone being bullied? every couple of months in our school we all go on courses and we ALL KNOW HOW TO DEAL WITH ANY KIND OF BULLYING!!!   Roisin  ( Ireland)

0
tonylaughlin

I am also saddened by her death.  What programs do you have in Ireland to deal with bullying?  I am a principal in Anaconda, Montana, a rich melting pot of diversity that gave Irish immigrants and so many others, a chance in the late 1800's and early 1900's  in the smelter/mining that contributed to our nation.   I am 100% Irish and feel so bad for her.   Tony Laughlin

0
Anomynous

Stupid jealous bitches. All this over a useless boy. When a boy cheat he dont care about you or the other girl. Your all just a bunch of vaginas stuck to their faces. We cant people take it out on the man. Was punky boys worth fucking up their lives over in their future. It so sad where their self-respect. It would of been better to have no boyfriend instead of having no boyfriend and being hated by the world(like they are now). I bet being arrested isnt going to be fun. Phoebe is the attractive one the girls who bullied her were ugly. No wonder their boyfriends cheated on them or their boyfriends like the hot Phoebe girl.

0
Anomynous

Stupid jealous bitches. All this over a useless boy. When a boy cheat he dont care about you or the other girl. Your all just a bunch of vaginas stuck to their faces. We cant people take it out on the man. Was punky boys worth fucking up their lives over in their future. It so sad where their self-respect. It would of been better to have no boyfriend instead of having no boyfriend and being hated by the world(like they are now). I bet being arrested isnt going to be fun. Phoebe is the attractive one the girls who bullied her were ugly. No wonder their boyfriends cheated on them or their boyfriends like the hot Phoebe girl.

0
Anomynous

Stupid jealous bitches. All this over a useless boy. When a boy cheat he dont care about you or the other girl. Your all just a bunch of vaginas stuck to their faces. We cant people take it out on the man. Was punky boys worth fucking up their lives over in their future. It so sad where their self-respect. It would of been better to have no boyfriend instead of having no boyfriend and being hated by the world(like they are now). I bet being arrested isnt going to be fun. Phoebe is the attractive one the girls who bullied her were ugly. No wonder their boyfriends cheated on them or their boyfriends like the hot Phoebe girl.

0
Anomynous

Stupid jealous bitches. All this over a useless boy. When a boy cheat he dont care about you or the other girl. Your all just a bunch of vaginas stuck to their faces. We cant people take it out on the man. Was punky boys worth fucking up their lives over in their future. It so sad where their self-respect. It would of been better to have no boyfriend instead of having no boyfriend and being hated by the world(like they are now). I bet being arrested isnt going to be fun. Phoebe is the attractive one the girls who bullied her were ugly. No wonder their boyfriends cheated on them or their boyfriends like the hot Phoebe girl.

0
Anomynous

Stupid jealous bitches. All this over a useless boy. When a boy cheat he dont care about you or the other girl. Your all just a bunch of vaginas stuck to their faces. We cant people take it out on the man. Was punky boys worth fucking up their lives over in their future. It so sad where their self-respect. It would of been better to have no boyfriend instead of having no boyfriend and being hated by the world(like they are now). I bet being arrested isnt going to be fun. Phoebe is the attractive one the girls who bullied her were ugly. No wonder their boyfriends cheated on them or their boyfriends like the hot Phoebe girl.

0
Anomynous

Stupid jealous bitches. All this over a useless boy. When a boy cheat he dont care about you or the other girl. Your all just a bunch of vaginas stuck to their faces. We cant people take it out on the man. Was punky boys worth fucking up their lives over in their future. It so sad where their self-respect. It would of been better to have no boyfriend instead of having no boyfriend and being hated by the world(like they are now). I bet being arrested isnt going to be fun. Phoebe is the attractive one the girls who bullied her were ugly. No wonder their boyfriends cheated on them or their boyfriends like the hot Phoebe girl.

0
november1111

OK STOP pushing post comment! I agree with most of whats been said here already. This is a sad and unnecessary situation. Bullying has always been a problem in school the unfortunate part is that it just seems to be becoming increasingly more prevalent and vicious. It's only been 13 years since I was in high school and I remember bullying going on and it was mean and hurtful but never to a point where someone took their own life. These students should be held to account for what they did. I also believe their parents, the teachers, principal and school counselor should be made to pay in some way. With that said the state of our public school system in the US is pathetic. I agree with everyone that it is an outrage that school officials didn't do something to stop the problem and punish those involved before it got to a point where a young girl felt so alone that she saw no other way to get away from the pain and sadness and killed herself. I'm not saying this to offend or anger anyone but I have to ask where were Phoebe's parents did they not know what she was going through? Why weren't they at that school demanding something be done about this? Why was she still attending school? Why was she not in counseling or why didn't you move away before she committed suicide? I really feel for this family and their loss but it seems it may be partially their fault. They should have known starting a new school would be hard let alone a new school in a new country that's rough. It's hard enough being a teenager these days let alone being a teenager that's different in some way. I too have to make the comment that I was expecting much better looking kids than the ones in those pics. Phoebe was definately much more beautiful than those girls. I'd say they went after this innocent girl because they felt threatened by her. Also I have to speculate that this must be a small town school because that's the only way those boys, as ugly as they are, would think they were hot stuff. Wait until they get in the real world and no woman will touch them. I would love to be there when reality hits them. Come to think of it  Bubba in the next cell over might find them mighty handsome. I hope they get all they deserve. Karma's coming your evil way so watch out. 

0
jme

OK. MAYBE THAT PERSON ACCIDENTALLY PUSHED THE DAMN BUTTON - THOUGHT OF THAT ?? WE ARE ALL ANGRY ABOUT THE SAME THING - CHILL OUT AND LET PEOPLE EXPRESS THEMSELVES. GEEZ- AND WE WONDER WHY ON EARTH THESE SHITS ARE HURTING OUR CHILDREN. AND IT IS THE KIDS - THEY KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THEY ARE DOING AND THEY WILL NOT GET AWAY WITH IT. NO MATTER WHAT- THEY HAVEN'T EVEN LIVED THEIR LIFE YET AND THEY WILL HAVE SO MUCH TO PAY FOR FOREVER. THEY RUINED A LIFE. AND THEY NEED TO ROT.

0
jme

These kids will get what they deserve - its funny ONLY because they are young and if they DO get off free- they won't when they realize and grow up that they killed that girl regardless of anything- THEY KILLED HER. Rot in hell you stupid little POS's and feel free to contact me- because seriously once ANY of you nasty shits learn what life is really about you won't be bullying anymore. TRUST me on that one.

0
KristinMY

The group didn't like that she dated a popular guy.  Get the heck over it!  This girl was a  person and didn't deserve to have some jealous brats bully her over a guy!  OVER A GUY!!!  This just infuriates me!  I know that in middle school and high school it is all about the drama, but when you go as far as to bully and bully a girl/boy over something this stupid, it becomes ridiculous.  Then they go online saying "accomplished" after this poor girl hangs herself.  What kind of "human beings" are you?  Being a former teacher, I would have NEVER let this type of bullying go on if I saw it.  I know that one person can't solve everything, but if more teachers who saw this would have reported it and actually did something about it, this poor girl might still be alive.  She didn't even have a chance to live her life.    I had a similar experience in middle school.  I was bullied because I thought the "popular" boy was cute.  His girlfriend didn't like that, so she made up lies about me and the entire seventh and eighth grade hated me because of her lies.  I ate lunch in the bathroom.  It got so bad, that I had to change schools.  My mother told me, "This too shall pass," and at the time I didn't believe it, but it did, even though it seemed to take forever.    So, for those of you who are reading this and are currently bullying a fellow classmate over something as stupid as dating or liking the "popular" boy, get over it and think how you would feel if you were in that position and someone was doing that to you.  Remember, what comes around, goes around.  You will get yours in some way!

0
James Walsh

The inaction of the school is disgraceful - they knew for months that this girl was subject to constant verbal and physical abuse and did nothing to stop it. Of course, the inaction of the school management is fairly typical in these cases, they dare not upset the jocks or their clique! It's sickening the way bullies are allowed do whatever they like in many high schools. I'm sure there are many other thousands of kids suffering in a similar way right now while teachers and school principals look the other way.

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Rhonda J Mangus
First Flagged at 12:00 PM, Mar 29, 2010 by Rhonda J Mangus
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