14 DAY TRIAL // 12-year-old Bailey O'Neill, the victim of a bullying attack at Darby Township School in Pennsylvania, has succumbed to his injuries, reports say.
We wrote about Bailey before, detailing that the 6th grader has been attacked on school premises during recess.
After his nose was fractured and he suffered a concussion, he was released from hospital care but started feeling ill a few days after.
“He was sleeping. He was moody. He wasn’t himself. He was angry a little bit. He wasn’t really eating,” his father Rob O'Neill described.
According to NBC Philadelphia, he died while in a coma on Sunday, March 3. The coma was medically induced after he started seizing repeatedly.
His family has set up the Building Hope for Bailey Facebook Page to allow people to show their support. They used a page to post a statement about the boy's death this Sunday.
“I would like to thank everyone who has prayed and supported Bailey and his family!! Bailey has been the strongest toughest boy I know.
“He has fought this battle long and hard. There just wasn't a way to fix this. I wish I could say he will get better but I can't. Bailey has gone to be with God today :( I love you Jina Risoldi with all my heart and I will help you through this. Bailey I love you!!! Please keep Baileys family in your prayers!!!” they wrote.
The children responsible for the beating have been suspended for two days after the incident. Officials have launched an investigation into whether or not Bailey's seizures and his death have been caused by the attack.
Meanwhile, the O'Neill family have pulled their youngest from school, fearing he might suffer the same treatment.
“We can assure them that we are going to continue with our investigation,” says Delaware County District Attorney Jack Whelan.