'Mean Spirited' Messages Sent To Girl, 10, Who Took Her Own Life

SANTA ANA, CA — After two weeks of investigating, Santa Ana police found no evidence of outright bullying in the suicide of a 10-year-old girl, authorities said.

The body of Allison Wendel was found in her hom by her sister on Oct. 13. Allison left no note behind, but according to Larry Esslinger, Orange County Supervising Deputy Coroner, her death was a suicide.

Cyber investigators worked steadily, reviewing all social media and text threads to determine if bullying was involved with her taking her own life. Detectives interviewed over 50 students at Hazard Elementary School in Garden Grove, according to Santa Ana Police Sgt. Anthony Bertagna.

During their investigation, police "found several mean-spirited posts in group text she was in," Bertagna told Patch.

Over 2,500 videos and social posts were thoroughly examined, but police found nothing that they could officially say met the level of "bullying" or "criminal conduct."

The Garden Grove Unified School District told parents detectives "did not uncover anything that rose to the level of bullying or criminal conduct."

The district continues to support the school community members who are hurting and grieving this tragedy, they said. Now the district's focus is on providing support and counseling to students and staff members.

"We have partnered with Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services, which has provided and will continue to provide expert crisis counseling to our students and staff," said Abby Broyles, district spokesperson.

Additionally, district psychologists, social workers, and counselors provide grief counseling and crisis support to school staff and students throughout the district.

"This incident has tragically affected our community and impacted the lives of numerous small children," Bertagna said. "The loss of this child has further sparked the need for increased awareness and education regarding bullying, cyberbullying, and suicide prevention."

A GoFundMe established for Allison's family has raised over $32,000 since it was established.

The Santa Ana Police Department wants to remind parents to monitor their children's access and use of texting and social media.

For additional resources, parents or interested parties are encouraged to seek information at: www.Stopbullying.gov and SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact Detective Gerardo Corona of the SAPD Family Crimes Section at 714-245-8343 or the Garden Grove Unified School District at 714-663-6503.

If you or a loved one is feeling distressed, help is available with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255. Free, confidential support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The Menace Of Bullies: Patch Advocacy Reporting Project

As part of a national reporting project, Patch has been looking at society's roles and responsibilities in bullying and a child's unthinkable decision to end their own life in hopes we might offer solutions that save lives.

Do you have a story to tell? Are you concerned about how your local schools handle bullies and their victims?

Email us at bullies@patch.com and share your views in the comments.

Selected Stories From The Project

• Bullied To Death: When Kids Kill With Words
• I Could Have Been Mallory Grossman
• Bullied Over Homemade T-Shirt, Kid Inspires University Of Tennessee Design
• Howell Teen Runs To Save Lives, Change Statistics On Suicide
• America's Shameful Truth About School Shooters And Bullying
• Cyberbullying Most Often Affects Girls; These Women Are Trying To Stop It
• Bullying Kids: Straighten Up, Or Your Parents May Have To Pay Up
• Teen Who Killed Himself Wasn't 'Worthless,' Family Tells Bullies
• Menace Of Bullies: Why This Woman Resigned Her 6-Figure Job

GoFundMe is a Patch Promotional Sponsor.