Bullied to Death? 16-Year-Old Girl's Family Sues Ohio School for Not Stopping "Lethal" Harassment

CLEVELAND, Ohio (AP) The family of a 16-year-old girl who committed suicide is suing her school, accusing officials of failing to stop relentless bullying by classmates prior to her death.

The lawsuit says Sladjana Vidovic  was verbally harassed and on one occasion was pushed down a set of stairs at Mentor High School, about 20 miles northeast of Cleveland.

The family's attorney, Kenneth Myers, says Vidovic, whose parents are from Croatia, was teased about her heritage and accent. He said Vidovic became depressed over the bullying and hanged herself from her bedroom window on Oct. 2, 2008.

The lawsuit filed Thursday in U.S. District Court seeks unspecified damages.

School superintendent Jacqueline Hoynes says the district will vigorously defend itself against the allegations.