Teen Speaks Out After Attack Posted On Facebook
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) -- The teen seen beaten up in a video on Facebook is now speaking out to CBS13.
"Just plain fear, of dying, of getting ripped off," says Neil Sullivan.
That's what was racing through the mind of 14-year-old Neil Sullivan as he was surrounded by a crowd, bullied then beaten. His fear turned to humiliation, as the video was posted on Facebook.
"I hope that kids see this is really bad to do to other kids. And even psychologically and physically they can be hurt for years, maybe even the rest of their life," says Neil.
Covered in bruises, Neil says he tried to talk his way out of the situation – even offering his attacker money to let him go. Now he's speaking out, warning other teens and parents, because he feels the group will strike again. He's also frustrated that the Sheriff's Department doesn't consider it bullying.
"It was 100 percent bullying and harassment for reasons I still don't know," he said.
Neil's mother, Suzanne, has the same feelings towards the situation that her son harbors.
"I'm just so unhappy with how we've had no response by the Sheriff's Department," says Suzanne.
Lisa, whose son Michael shot himself in his high school restroom after being bullied, decided to speak out of the situation.
"When I watched the video of that mother, I thought I know exactly how you feel. When our son died, no one investigated," says Lisa.
Lisa founded an organization called "Brave," and the now the Carmichael mother educates students and parents, and urges lawmakers and authorities, like the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department, to take action in these incidents.
"They should be all over this. They should not be behind the scenes. They should be leading it out front and center. The message should be unacceptable. If you behave like this, these are the consequences," explains Lisa.
Friday, the District Attorney Office released this statement:
"Our responsibility is to review cases after they have been investigated by law enforcement agencies to determine if we can prove the case in court. There is no category of cases we do not review."
