The family of a 12-year-old boy from Brooklyn
is calling for an independent investigation, alleging his death was caused by
bullying.
Romy's family says he was beat up and bullied
in the three days leading up to his death.
On the Wednesday prior to his death, Romy's
family says the 12-year-old was jumped and beat up after school. The family alleges that Romy told school staff and principal about this incident.
On Thursday, the family says another student,
who was allegedly given $1 and dared to hit him, punched Romy in the back of
the head.
Romy's family says when he complained of
headaches in school, he was sent to the nurse who then sent him home instead of
the hospital. The next day, Romy died.
While his family says they're happy to have the
community standing behind them, they're very upset with the way the city is
handling it.
"This should never have happened. Bullying
is not a random incident, it is a pattern of behavior," says Nicholas
Papain, the attorney for the family. "We need to get to the bottom of this
to find out what the school knew, when they knew it, and what they did about
it. Those are answers we need."
The Department of Education sent a statement on
the incident, which says, "This is a horrible tragedy, and our thoughts
are with the family during this incredibly difficult time. The safety of our
young people is our absolute priority, and this incident will be thoroughly
investigated, and we are providing supports to both the family and school
community."
News 12 was told the Department of Education is
referring the case to an independent body for investigation.
The medical examiner has not released an official cause of
death yet.