A boy who was the victim of apparent bullying died Sunday at a Philadelphia-area hospital after being taken off life support, his family said. Bailey O'Neill, who turned 12 on Saturday, had been in a medically-induced coma since January, when he was allegedly beaten by two classmates on the playground during recess at his school.
The sixth-grader sustained a concussion and broken nose, and suffered subsequent seizures, forcing doctors to induce the coma.
"Bailey has been the strongest toughest boy I know," a message posted Sunday to the Building Hope for Bailey Facebook page read. "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."
According to NBC's Philadelphia affiliate, the students who allegedly attacked Bailey were suspended from Darby Township School, but criminal charges have yet to be filed. Police investigators are trying to determine whether the seizures were caused by injuries stemming from the Jan. 10 incident.
According to the Delaware County Times, police have been reluctant to label the attack a case of "bullying."
“I would like to see these kids punished,” Joy Fecanin, Bailey's grandmother, told NBC 10 last month. “Something has to be done. I don’t know what’s taking them so long.”
Delaware County District Attorney Jack Whelan said the investigation is ongoing.
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