The Black River Falls School District says allegations that school bullying led to the overdose suicide of a 16-year-old junior are unfounded. The district’s outside investigator determined Ta’Shika Tengler told school officials about being bullied but that staff handled the incidents according to policy.
AUDIO: Brian Brawner, WWIS
The investigation concluded the school was not at fault in the girl’s death according to.Superintendant Ron Saari. “Basically, the allegations made against the district regarding the incident were unfounded.” Saari says. “There were approximately seven points that were looked atand (with) each one of them there was no evidence to support the allegation. From that standpoint, its a comfort to know that the district did follow it’s policies and did address any issues of bullying that were brought forward in a very timely manner and a very effective manner.”
The school launched the investigation after the girl’s mother accused school officials of doing nothing to stop more than two years worth of verbal and physical bullying despite the girl’s pleas for help. Saari said the school district is still sympathetic to the loss of one of their students and to the loss to the family.
Tengler was found dead at home November 10th. The death remains under investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation
