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Ashlynn Conner’s family speak out over 10-year-old’s bullying and suicide

Police department find no evidence of “severe” bullying during interviews

CATHY HAYES,

IrishCentral Staff Writer

Published Wednesday, November 16, 2011, 7:26 AM

Updated Wednesday, November 16, 2011, 10:55 AM

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Ashlynn Conner - 10-year-old girl who committed suicide last week

Photo by Conner Family

The family of ten-year-old Ashlynn Conner, who committed suicide on Friday night, has said that while they are not pointing fingers, they hope her tragic death will urge the authorities to identify and deal with bullying in US schools.

Speaking to the Georgetown-Ridgefarm School Board, in Illinois on Monday night, Lucas Connor, the young girl’s uncle said “No one knew how Ashlynn felt. She is giving us all strength to move forward and help stop this problem.”

Last Thursday Ashlynn told her mom, Stacy, that she wanted to be home schooled, that she was being bullied about her weight and that she had been called a “slut”. Stacy said she would speak to the school. Less than 24 hours later Ashlynn was found dead in a closet.

Her emotional uncle, speaking at the board meeting, urged children who feel they are being bullied to speak up and get help.

He said “We have to do something with this, we cannot let her life be in vain, this is an opening to help others. This was not an isolated incident, it has been going on for years,” reported Commercial News.

The family has cited bullying as the reason for Ashlynn’s suicide and they are urging the school board to tak action and implement anti-bullying programs.

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The Vermilion County Sheriff’s Department is investigation the allegations by the Conner family that bullying led to Ashlynn’s suicide.

Sheriff Pat Hartshorn said told Commercial News “We’ve interviewed the friends supposedly involved in it. We haven’t uncovered anything so severe that it would result in someone taking their own life.”

Ashlynn’s friends and family continue to be questioned as part of the ongoing investigation.

President of the school board Cheryl Kestufskie read a prepared statement. She said they were “saddened by the loss” and had “made counselors available”.

She said “We have cooperated fully with law enforcement officials and are awaiting the results of their investigation.

“We know there is a great deal of discussion about what role “bullying” may have played in this tragedy. We are confident that the police will shed light on this matter.

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imissbri | Nov 18, 2011, 06:54 AM EST

I know personally what the family is going through at this time, my family went through it ourselves on Jan.3,2009 when my granddaughter at the age of 12 took her life so she didn't have to go back to school where is was being bullied by others...... but she didn't let us know it was going on cause she was told by a teacher at school when she complained that she needed to grow up she wasn't a baby anymore...... my prayers are with the family cause it is a nightmare that won't go away..... turn to GOD AND he will comfort you ...... this destoyed my son and his now exwife for it tears you apart unless you get help from others that have been in your shoes....... I pray you will have support from family and friends through this.... you can e-mail me at oneblueboy7@comcast.net anytime....... You are in my prayers......

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ramonda | Nov 17, 2011, 04:50 PM EST

Mrs Hayes could you please give my facebook information and/or email to ashlynn's family. I think everyone should be concerned about bullying and I have written a children's book called Robert The Bully and it is geared at teaching the younger generation of children not to bully each other. It is being published and is dedicated to the victim's and families of the school shootings and I would also like to dedicate it to the memory of ashlynn. They can contact me through facebook or email at ramondarichard@yahoo.com. Those of you that make comments on here that dont agree evidentally does not know what it feels like to be bullied. Unfortunately I know what it feels like. We all have to band together and help these children. Children should not commit suicide because other children are picking on them or making fun of them.

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DarrenK | Nov 16, 2011, 11:19 PM EST

@irishphotograph That is one of the most ignorant comments I've ever read. I happen to be an atheist and most of my entire extended family are as well. Morality has nothing to do with religion. Get your head out the bible and educate yourself. You have no room to talk when you follow a book about the biggest mass murdering baby killer of all time.

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JBRAFTREE | Nov 16, 2011, 07:31 PM EST

Sorry to say, the parents should have been aware of her problems. If they weren't told by the young girl, why not??? It's a bad scene all around. May she rest in peace.

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chrissy20 | Nov 16, 2011, 02:22 PM EST

my issue is the headline Police department find no evidence of “severe” bullying during interviews does it matter how little or how severe bullying has to be bullying is bullying a simple name like slut can be heart breaking and should not be tolerated this is a shame she was a very beautiful girl not a thing wrong with this baby we as parents need to listen to our children times are not like they was when we was children bully's our just scared and neglected or abused children themselves that probably don't get the teaching they need from home so as a parent i teach my kids to help a child being bullied or tell someone and i stress how i have zero tolerances for bullying..God Bless Ashlynn and her family

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phinsman | Nov 16, 2011, 12:25 PM EST

I am guessing that none of the students who bullied Ashlynn will admit to doing this... therefore, unfortunately, just like sexual abuse, the investigators won't be able to confirm that this truly happened.

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Irishphotograph | Nov 16, 2011, 11:08 AM EST

How does a 10yr old know how to commit suicide?? And what a sad Time and Society we live in. When other 10 year old girls call another girl a 'slut'...This is the result of a Society that is increasingly becoming secular. Where slutty Idols like Paris Hilton & Lady Gaga are Icons to the children of the World. Alot are worried about the rise of Islam be worried more about the Rise of Secularism.

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cillowen | Nov 16, 2011, 10:33 AM EST

bill maher's sicki attack on eli has... of the view is another form of bullying that young uns pick up on. Maher's on the view selling his rubbish book visit, was a bumber. Imagine, by one, who's views not in harmony with eliz.

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SingleDonald | Nov 16, 2011, 10:19 AM EST

My heart goes out to Ashlynn and her family. At age 10, I, and I guess most of my classmates in Catholic School, didn't even know what a "slut" was. It's tragic that classmates would tormant her, and WORSE if the tormentors were boys! We should all stand up to bullying as best we can. However, if that doesn't work, it is okay to break the "rule of 'omerta'", and go to someone who can help. Concerning the mob, I learned that some higher ups would squeal, if it suited their purposes. So, for the most part, the "omerta" rule was only used to keep the lower ranking people in line, as a scare tactic! Today, of course, countless mobsters are squealing, in cooperation with the prosecutors. Being set up in the Witness Protection Program is much better than spending long years in prison! Back to the school environment, what can a bully do to a victim, if he/she "squeals"? The bully's options are severly limited, as opposed to the gangster!

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mok1030 | Nov 16, 2011, 09:32 AM EST

this child was failed by her parents and the school, this child was being tormented adn the adults inher life didn't realize the magnitude of it. the article mentions that the police investigating found nothing that would constitute a 10 year old taking their life. well they need to look at this from the 10 year old's viewpoint. being called a slut at that age is HORRIFFIC and shattering can you immagine that on a daily basis???? it is sad and i would hope that her tormentors feel guilt and grief over what they have done, but most likely they are selfish snots and will never feel anything for anyone except themselves.

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