Father whose child took his own life labels his son's alleged bullies 'disgusting little monsters'
TRIGGER WARNING - This article contains content which some readers may find distressing.
A heartbroken father has opened up on Facebook about his anguish after his son, who was allegedly bullied at school, took his own life.
Daniel Fitzpatrick, who attended Holy Angels Catholic Academy in Brooklyn, wrote in a suicide note that his old friends had changed and said now "they didn't even like me".
Daniel said he "gave up" and "the teachers . . they didn’t do anything."
According to The New York Daily News, the 13-year-old wrote that he was bullied by a group of five boys.
The torment was reportedly over Daniel's innocent heart, school grades and weight.
Daniel's father, who is also named Daniel, spoke of his heartache on Facebook in an 18-minute video.
Mr Fitzpatrick thanked those who have sent messages of support.
However, he also gave the parents of his son's alleged bullies some harsh words.
"No parent should have to bury their child," Mr Fitzpatrick said.
"No child should have to go through what my son went through."
In the video, Mr Fitzpatrick labelled his child's alleged bullies "disgusting little monsters."
His message to their parents: "I hope you never, never have to feel what my family is going through right now.
"You get to hold your children every night and day for the rest of your lives and their natural lives."
"I don't get that any more."
"Your little monsters took that from me and my wife and his sisters."
Both Daniel Fitzpatrick and his father had allegedly pleaded for the school to help.
"He and I went to the school, went to the principal," Mr Fitzpatrick said.
"All I got was, and all he got was 'You'll be fine. Is he in counselling? You have to try harder Danny.'"
The letter was penned by the teenager in early July, after he was urged by Holy Angels Catholic Academy to repeat the seventh grade, but at a different school.
It's also alleged a teacher had called Daniel 'lazy' in front of students.
His mother Maureen Fitzpatrick said, “My son shouldn’t have to die to be heard.”
In his letter, which was shared on a family friend's Facebook page, the teenager wrote about how another child had blamed him for getting in trouble after a fight.
"No words to describe the pain I'm feeling right now," Mr Fitzpatrick said.
ABC7 reports that the teenager would have celebrated his 14th birthday in a fortnight.
The bullying complaints could not be confirmed by the Brooklyn/Queens Diocese on Friday, The New York Daily News reports.
"In light of this tragedy we are reexamining all bullying prevention policies and training," spokeswoman for the Brooklyn/Queens Diocese, Carolyn Erstad said.
"The principal, teachers, and staff of Holy Angels Catholic Academy are heartbroken over the loss of Danny Fitzpatrick. We take the issue of bullying very seriously and address every incident that is brought to our attention."
If you or someone you know needs help, don't suffer in silence, call Lifeline anytime on 13 11 14 or visit the website https://www.lifeline.org.au/.
