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Teen who was bullied for months jumped to her death 'hours after she was sexually assaulted at school,' lawsuit claims

The victim's parents have also alleged that nothing was done even after their daughter complained to a school guidance counselor and the principal about the bullying
PUBLISHED MAY 29, 2019

A teenager from the Bronx, who was subjected to months of bullying, reportedly killed herself hours after she was forced by two boys to perform oral sex and was later teased about it, according to a lawsuit filed by the girl's parents.

The victim, identified as 16-year-old Mya Vizcarrondo-Rios, reportedly jumped off the roof of her 34-story apartment building in the Bronx on February 28 last year. Reports state that she still had her backpack on when her body was discovered on the sidewalk after 2 pm, according to the New York Daily News.

The girl's parents, Heriberto Rios and Nelly Vizcarrondo, have stated that their daughter was subjected to constant bullying, including body-shaming attacks and physical abuse, ever since she enrolled at Harry S. Truman High School in September 2017. They have alleged that she killed herself as a result of the incessant bullying.

Mya's parents reportedly filed the lawsuit against the city, the Education Department, school administrators, and one of the alleged bullies. The suit claims that Mya's complaints to counselors about the bullying were not handled properly.

Mya Vizcarrondo-Rios pictured in a GoFundMe page set up for her. (GoFundMe)

The parents are reportedly angry that school administrators did not notify them of their daughter's complaints and her absences from class. The victim's parents have also alleged that after Mya complained to a school guidance counselor and to the principal, Keri Alfano, the teen was reportedly sent back to class and was told that an investigation would be launched into the issue.

The lawsuit claims that nothing happened after Mya's complaint. 

"The employees of Harry S. Truman had actual notice of the intimidation but failed to intervene," the lawsuit claims. It also mentions the name of one student in the court papers as "Vivianna D."

The parents reportedly met with a guidance counselor in January 2018, weeks before their daughter' suicide, because they were very concerned. However, the staffer did not follow up on the issue, according to the suit.

The principal of Harry S Truman High School Keri Alfano (Harry S Truman High School)

Mya's parents allege that on the day she died, she was sexually assaulted by being forced to perform oral sex on a student and the word about the assault spread in the school.

Mya, as a result, was teased about the incident and could not handle the trauma. She left school early and jumped to her death at around 2:00 pm, the suit alleged.

The suit also claims that a friend of Mya had gone to see a guidance counselor to express concern for her well-being. The counselor reportedly talked to Mya that day but did not inform her parents of the conversation. 

Reports state that the girl named in the suit, Vivianna, was transferred out of Truman the day after Mya's suicide, and the guidance counselor was fired. 

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