‘Wake-up call’: 11-year-old girl took her own life over bullying, family says

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR/Gray News) - Officials in Illinois say the tragic death of a middle school student has sparked an investigation.

Rockford Public Schools Superintendent Ehren Jarrett addressed the death of Jalyah Thompson on Wednesday. Days before, her family claimed bullying drove the 11-year-old to suicide.

“We need to keep doing more, and this is really a wake-up call and a challenge for our entire community to come together,” Jarrett said.

He said a thorough investigation into the Eisenhower Middle School student’s death is ongoing.

The superintendent noted that many details surrounding Thompson’s death wouldn’t be released during the investigation, including how bullying may have impacted the “tragic situation.”

“When students are being victimized or friends know of students that are struggling in any way, we have to have people come forward because no staff member can be omniscient,” Jarrett said. “We all need to do a better job together.”

RPS 205 said it invests about $30 million annually into social-emotional services and resources, with the district overseeing 240 support professionals.

At Eisenhower Middle School, Jarrett stated there are three guidance counselors to assist those at the school.

“We also need families to come forward and community partners to be a part of this solution. It’s really about an all hands on deck,” Jarrett said.

Since news broke of Thompson’s death, posts and comments on bullying have flooded the district’s social media channels.

Jarrett hopes the community stays focused on supporting students.

“We will be very limited in what we can accomplish with finger-pointing, and we will be much more successful when we come together and see what we can do to prevent future tragedy,” he said.

Multiple fundraisers are also raising money to support the Thompson family during this difficult time.

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