Joel Morales, 12-year-old NYC boy, commits suicide after bullying, family says

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

AP Graphics

(CBS) - A 12-year-old Harlem boy was driven to suicide by bullies who taunted him about his height and intelligence, says the boy's family.

Joel Morales' mother says she found him hanging from a shower rod in the bathroom around 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday, according to the New York Daily News.

The Daily News reports that Morales' friend says the 12-year-old said only hours be fore his death that he was tired of being bullied, according to Morales' aunt Angelica Babilonia. Relatives reportedly said the boy had been bullied for months before his death, even after he transfered schools.

Police say Morales did not leave a suicide note.

"I know in my heart it was bullying that made him do it," Morales' 23-year-old sister, Richeliss Salazar, told the Daily News.

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by treasurelyfe804 June 1, 2012 12:09 PM EDT: this is so sad...I will pray for him and his family....parents love your children every chance you get...tomorrow is not promised.; Reply to this comment


by amerilatino June 1, 2012 11:32 AM EDT: One news flash I'd love to see,-"Boy commits multiple nose-breakings by right hook after being bullied." I swear I'd send that kid a $50 gift card to Baskin-Robbins or something.; Reply to this comment


by ahendryx819 June 1, 2012 11:22 AM EDT: Oh, RIP Joel, you didn't deserve the hell you were put through during your life. :(

When is this going to stop??? I went through it when I was in school, and I considered suicide over it. Only when I got away from it did I realize that the bullies are usually the ones whose lives are seriously f***'d up. This acting out needs to be handled immediately, before they get the message that it's OK. If schools would do their part and put a stop to it in the beginning, the outcome may be different than it was in this case, and the number of suicides due to bullying may stop.; Reply to this comment

by Ibarrios May 31, 2012 8:55 PM EDT

I have an eight years old boy that is been bulli and I whent to his school and talked to the principal many times, but this never stop, if some one know any organization can help, please e-mail me, I will apreciate. I do not whant my son end up like Joel.

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by ahendryx819 June 1, 2012 11:23 AM EDT: Check out loveisrespect.org. They do mainly dating violence stuff, but they do have some good information on bullying as well.


by SunKissedButterFly June 1, 2012 11:44 AM EDT: I also have an 8 year old son who has told me about another boy who bullies him on the way to school and home on the school bus. There is not any supervised children during the ride except for the driver who screams through the rear view at the children to sit down. This doesn't seem safe if my child flew out the window while the bus makes a wide turn nor is it safe if my child is hurt by another child during school hours or trans. Although i talked with the supposed kid who is bullying my child and thought the situation was squashed. The bullying was mentioned to his teacher and principal, the fact that my child didn't mention it in again school, the officials wont address it until my son mentions it again.. It may end up being to late if people wait around for a result.


by tntconnect2006 June 1, 2012 1:01 PM EDT: @Ibarrios - my granddaughter was slightly bullied in school too and whenever it occurred, I would call the school immediately and report it to her teacher. If the bullying continued, I would demand a meeting with the principal and insist the parents of the bullies be present. If after meeting with the principal and parents did not resolve the problem, I would go up the chain of command, starting with the Superintendent of the School District. And if I was not satisfied with the way it was resolved at that level, I would go directly to the Bd of Ed downtown and file an official report with a written detailed complaint. Begin with a documented response of the problem, IE; write what and when did your son complain to you, what did you do, time and who you speak to? How did the school staff resolve the issue? Don't enter the school expecting an excuse, go in DEMANDING. Parents have a great deal of power and if you don't exercise it, no-one will care.

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