news

Mallory’s mum begged her school for help. Hours later, the 12-year-old ended her life.

Trigger warning: This article contains information about suicide which may be distressing for some readers.

Twelve-year-old Mallory Grossman was a talented cheerleader and gymnast.

She loved the outdoors, especially flowers, and was artsy, kind and compassionate.

According to NBC New York, last Wednesday, Mallory's mother made a complaint to the administrators of the New Jersey primary school where Mallory was a student.

Dianne Grossman believed her daughter was being bullied by other students online and via Snapchat.

Hours after she made the complaint, her daughter was dead, with investigators believing the 12-year-old girl had taken her own life.

An investigation by the Morris County Prosecutor's Office into the young girl's death has been launched.

On Monday, students from Mallory's school wore light blue to honour the late student, and to take a stand against bullying in their community.

Cheerleading teams across the United States also wore blue during practices this week, posting photos with the hashtag #BlueOutBullying.

An obituary for the Year 6 student described her as a "compassionate" Old Soul who "loved the outdoors and nature".

"Mallory Rose Grossman has left this world a better place. Those who were fortunate to have known her and loved her are better people for it. Her beautiful and free spirit will remain with us for the rest of eternity," it read.

"Every once in a great while, heaven sends down a teacher in the form of a child. Mallory was our teacher. She taught us how to love each other as only a child can.

"Although she has returned to join all of Angels in Heaven, she's left us lessons for others to learn about. How we should love each other. The value of our lives, our families and our communities.

"Her purpose and impact on this world is beyond what we can see or feel. And everyone who takes her lessons are better for having done so. She inspired. She was kind. She was innocent. She was beautiful. And she was pure."

LISTEN: Laura, Tiff and Jessie discuss if Netflix show '13 Reasons Why' is helpful or just plain dangerous on The Binge.

The young girl is survived by her mother, Dianne, and her father, Seth. She has three siblings and was the proud owner of two dogs.

A GoFundMe campaign set up by a family friend to help with the costs of Mallory's funeral has so far raised over US$70,000.

If you or someone you know needs help, Mamamia urges you to call Lifeline on 131 114 or Beyondblue 1300 224 636.

Read more: Headspace explains the conversation we should be having with our children.

Related Stories

Recommended

Top Comments

Sofia R.B. 7 years ago

STOP THE WORLD WIDE BULLYING!


Guest 7 years ago

Get your kids off the Internet!!
12 year olds don't need to be on snap chat, Facebook or social media full stop.
Why can't parents realise this!!

Rebecca 7 years ago

Bullying surpasses the internet. Preventing ur child from socializing on the internet is not a guarantee of them not being bullied. She might've ended up being bullied for not participating in social media. Bullying is an epidemic and needs to be dealt with. Social media is a platform it is not the root cause of bullying.