Rachael Neblett (17) committed suicide after being "cyber-bullied"
Published: Oct 23, 2006 @ 2:00 PM

Rachael Neblett (17)
Date: Oct 09, 2006
Suicide by: Gunshot
Location: Mount Washington, KY
URL: view their profile
A Bullitt County family says bullying lead to their daughter's suicide. Now they are on a mission to get a state bullying law on the books. "The Bully Bill" would require all schools to spell out consequences for bullying. 25 other states already have it, but it's having a tough time getting passed here.
"I don't know what went through her mind," said Mark Neblett, Rachael Neblett's father.
A huge sign of support fills a home now empty. Rachael Neblett's family knows they are not alone, they just wish Rachael had known that too.
"She was tore up inside. She was just scared to death, but she didn't tell us," said Mark Neblett.
Her family says Rachael Neblett's short bout with a bullying ended with her suicide last Monday. She was just 17 years old. They claim someone from her school set up a dummy account on myspace two weeks ago and started sending her threating messages.
Her sister read them all: "Meet me out front of school by the trailors and and we'll settle it there and honey, but the why, you are not going to the hospital. I'm going to put you in the morgue," said Rachael's sister Patricia Neblett.
At just 4-foot-seven and 90 pounds, she says Rachael was terrifed. Her family claims her school, Bullitt East, responded quickly to the threats making sure Rachael had a chaperone and that her teachers were extra vigilant.
"I really in my heart think that the bullying took her from us," said Mark Neblett.
Students in Bullitt County know the rules with bullying, the district makes sure of it but not all districts do.
"Within a few days of the state of school they bring back a page that is signed by both the student and the parent acknowledging that they read it and understand it," said Eric Farris, the school board attorney.
State representative Mike Cherry has tried for years to get a uniform bullying bill passed that would mandate schools to come up with set consequences for bullying and harrassment. In February, it passed through the House, but stalled in the Senate. That was the fourth time.
"No legislation is going to solve problems like entirely, but what if we can save one life or one serious accident, well certainly the legislation is worth it. It will help address the issue. It will bring the issue more to the forefront of all the educational institutions out there," said Cherry.
"I hope the bill passes through the senate and the children, if they do wrong, they need to be punished," said Mark Neblett.
Rachael's family wants to make sure every school responds the way their daughter's did and will have the state's backing and laws to do even more. "They need this bill. It's needs to help these children."
Representative Mike Cherry of Princeton told Fox 41 Thursday night he will re-file the bill and that the House should take it up again come January.
Detectives are still looking into the bullying threats made against Rachael Neblett.
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