Bullied Boy Dies In Pennyslvania Hospital; Family Believes Death Due To Concussion Injury From Schoolyard Bullying

A bullied boy dies in a local Pennsylvania hospital on Sunday, March 3 after a tragic bullying incident left him with a concussion and broken nose.

The bullied boy, Bailey O'Neill, had been in a medically induced coma after being punched in the schoolyard. He had just turned 12 on Saturday, and the day after his birthday he was taken off life support and died.

The superintendent of Southeast Delco School District, where the alleged bullying incident occurred, released a statement this morning.

Stephen Butz, superintendent, said, "Late yesterday, we were informed about the death of Bailey O'Neill. Our school community is deeply saddened by the loss. Our condolences are with Bailey's family and friends during this very difficult time."

O'Neill, a sixth-grader at Darby Township School, was put into a coma after he began having seizures.

O'Neill's family claims the seizures were brought on when another student allegedly punched O'Neill in the face on the schoolyard on Jan. 10, according to Philly.com.

Family members said that two students were bullying O'Neill when one punched Bailey in the face, breaking his nose and giving Bailey a concussion. Doctors cleared Bailey initially, but a few days later, violent seizures began.

Joy Fecanin, O'Neill's grandmother, told NBC10 that the boy had to have a blood transfusion after contracting pneumonia.

Fecanin said in the interview last month, "I would like to see these kids punished," said Fecanin when she spoke to Zachry last month. "Something has to be done. I don't know what's taking them so long."

Superintendent Butz said that the district was cooperating with a police investigation, but no charges were ever filed.

Officials never released details of the 'bullying accident' or connected the seizures with the bullying incident in the schoolyard.

The spokeswoman for the Distract Attorney's office called it an "active, ongoing investigation." She mentioned that an autopsy would be performed, potentially shedding light on the child's death and bullying case.

The office is still analyzing surveillance video taken of the incident.

Butz said in a statement released on the district website, "During this time, our thoughts and prayers are with Bailey's family and friends."

O'Neill also had a Facebook page erected in his honor after the bullying event received media attention.

One post states, "First of all I want to say the battle isn't over we will remember Bailey always and we will continue this fight until Bullying is eradicated."

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