Bullied NorCal Teen With Facial Deformity Gains Support and Trip to SoCal Thanks to Social Media

An eighth grader from Northern California who suffers from a congenital facial deformity recently stopped going to school after being bullied and threatened by her Turlock classmates. After ABC 10 News interviewed Breanna Mendoza, who was born with Goldenhar syndrome, people from all over California rallied to support the teen.

Goldenhar syndrome or Oculoauricular Dysplasia causes deformity of the face and usually affects one side of the face more than the other.

“When I was finally feeling happy for once, I got knocked back down,” Mendoza said during her teary interview with ABC 10.

However, following an unexpected call from the Children’s Craniofacial Association, Mendoza is happy once again as she packs her bags so she can take a trip down to Newport Beach to participate in their annual retreat for families. The Association offered to cover the costs for Mendoza and her parents to attend.

Mendoza’s parents told ABC 10 the administrators at Dutcher Middle School are investigating the bullying. Full ABC 10 story here.

Photo screenshot of Breanna Mendoza’s Facebook page. Video courtesy: ABC 10