GROESBECK, TX. — It's a problem that has many parents concerned: bullying at Groesbeck Independent School District.
"I want them to prevent this before another kids commits suicide, because I don't want it to be my child or another child, because to watch her mom bury her daughter was one of the hardest things I had to do with my baby," said Amanda McNew.
Amanda McNew says her 15-year-old daughter, Ariella Costella, started getting bulled last year at Groesbeck Middle School. McNew said the bullying continued this year at the high school.
"I watched her cry and admit to suicidal thoughts," said McNew.
She said bullying is problem she is trying to find an end to after reporting her daughter's incidents multiple times to the district and Groesbeck High School. Her daughter Ariella has also reported it to her teachers after kids yelled at her in class.
"[A student] would yell at me all the time and get in my face. I reported it to the office and the office said, "She's too pretty. It's okay,"," Costella told Central Texas News Now.
Costella said she isn't the only student dealing with bullying. This May, her friend died by suicide.
"I saw my baby cry for weeks not understanding why her friend Lainey committed suicide," said McNew.
"At first I didn't want to believe it and still don't. When I went to her funeral, it didn't put the best thing on me," said Costella.
Lainey's mother sent Central Texas News Now a statement, which read:
"The tragic circumstance surrounding her death could have been prevented. I hope her story will cause the Department of Education and Groesbeck ISD to reevaluate their policies, and properly train their employees on issues related to bullying at school as well as cyberbulling, so that no student feels so hopeless they believe suicide is the answer."
Central Texas News Now reached out to Groesbeck ISD for comment. The superintendent issued this statement:
"Groesbeck ISD is committed to the safety and well-being of all of our students. The District takes very seriously any claim of bullying or harassment. The District received no reports or claims of bullying directed toward this student. Neither has the District received any information to support any allegation that her tragic demise had anything to do with events occurring at school."
McNew said she will put up a fight for as long as she needs to.
"I don't think any child should have to go through bullying and be afraid to go to school."
She said she just wants kids like her daughter to be heard and cared for when they attend school.
