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Phoebe Prince Suicide: South Hadley High School Didn't Use Advice to Stop Bullies, Says Expert

Phoebe Prince (Personal Photo)

BOSTON (CBS/AP) School officials at South Hadley High School didn't follow all the anti-bullying advice they were given months before 15-year-old Phoebe Prince committed suicide, according to a consultant who offered the tips.

Barbara Coloroso said she consulted with parents and administrators months before the harassed freshman hanged herself in January.

Police say she endured months of verbal assaults and threats, mostly in school and in person, although some of the bullying occurred on Facebook and in other electronic forms.

"The questions to ask are: Did they follow their own rules and did they keep Phoebe safe? Obviously not. And, did they deal effectively with the bullies? Obviously not," Coloroso told The Associated Press Tuesday.

Nine students face charges in connection with the girl's death, including two teen boys charged with statutory rape and a clique of girls charged with stalking, criminal harassment and violating Phoebe's civil rights.

School officials won't be charged, even though authorities say they knew about the bullying.

South Hadley High School is located in South Hadley, Mass., about 90 miles east of Boston.

MORE ON CRIMESIDER
February 5, 2010 - Phoebe Prince "Suicide by Bullying": Teen's Death Angers Town Asking Why Bullies Roam the Halls
January 27, 2010 - 15-Year-Old Girl's Suicide May Have Been the Result of Cyberbullying


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