Bullying Against Mallory Grossman Wasn't Ignored, Rockaway School Officials Say

ROCKAWAY TOWNSHIP, NJ — Officials from Rockaway Township Public Schools have issued a statement saying claims they ignored bullying that lead to a 12-year-old girl's suicide are "categorically false."

The parents of Mallory Grossman sued the school district in August, claiming the school did nothing to address the bullying they say lead to her suicide. Now, the district is saying those claims are "categorically false."

The district said both the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office and their legal council asked them not to comment, but they "would like nothing more than to respond" to ease parental concerns over bullying in the district. They called their current statement "correcting misinformation." (You can read the full letter below.) Mallory's death remains under investigation, which school officials had previously called standard protocol.

Superintendent Greg McGann did not respond to Patch's email asking what steps the district took to address bullying.

• Read More: Mother Of Rockaway 12-Year-Old Who Died Complained To School About Bullying
• Read More: Mallory Grossman's Family Sues Rockaway Schools Over Bullying That Led To Suicide

Mallory's parents, Seth and Diane Grossman, had previously accused the school of failing to address the bullying, including in a meeting held the morning of her death. Their lawyer said the bullying happened both online, through apps like Snapchat and Instagram, and in school. In some instances, photos taken at Copeland Middle School were used online to bully her, attorney Bruce Nagel said.

The district said as the case goes through the legal system, more information will come to light than has previously been reported in the media.

"As this case is formally adjudicated, the District and its legal counsel are confident the public will recognize and appreciate its thoughtful and purposeful actions. Further, our counsel believes the actions of others in this case will also be viewed quite differently from that which is presently portrayed," they wrote.

With the new school year starting, the district said it will continue "its commitment to the safety and security of all of our students." The school had offered support services to affected Copeland Middle School students over the summer.

• Read More: Rockaway 6th Grader Who Passed Away Remembered As Charitable And Outdoorsy

• Read More: Community Donates $64K To Family Of Rockaway Middle Schooler Who Died Last Week
• Read More: 'Mallory's Army' Fights Back Against Bullying After 12-Year-Old's Sudden Death

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, or text the Crisis Text Line at 741-741.

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