A girl survived a near-fatal suicide attempt after being bullied. A student visited her in the ICU and took photos of her suit.

According to a complaint made by the child’s parents, a 12-year-old girl from South Carolina attempted suicide after months of bullying at school, and a classmate took pictures of her in the intensive care unit.

According to the lawsuit obtained by PEOPLE, Kelaia Turner, 14, suffered severe brain damage and is currently receiving round-the-clock care from her parents. The parents have sued Greenville County Schools, the girl’s middle school, as well as the girl’s teacher and other administrators, alleging negligence in responding to bullying and harassment claims.

After more than a year of bullying, Kelaia made an attempt at suicide. On March 17, 2023, Ty Turner, the daughter’s mother, told NBC affiliate WYFF-TV that she discovered her daughter hanging from a belt in her bed.

Ty informed the channel that she was absent for eight complete minutes. Her pulse and heartbeat were not detectable by paramedics. The room was filled with older guys who were crying.

Kelaia spent 101 days in the hospital, 31 of which were spent in the intensive care unit, according to her mother’s GoFundMe campaign.

The complaint claims that one of Kelaia’s classmates visited her in the intensive care unit and took pictures of her. One of the two minors posted the pictures on social media and helped spread rumors about [Kelaia’s] injuries after phoning another student.

Defendants named in the lawsuit, including Olivia Bennett, Kelaia’s teacher, are charged with failing to prevent the bullying among the kids.

The complaint claims that on Friday, December 17, 2021, she was being called a guy and a roach by her classmates in Olivia Bennett’s class. Ms. Bennett did nothing to halt the bullying among the other students and was complicit in it. Where’s the roach, one pupil asked? and [Kelaia] was indicated by Ms. Bennett.

The complaint claims that in a another event, children in a different classroom sang a song and YouTube video titled “The Black People Song.”

According to the lawsuit, defendant Teer permitted the music to be played without addressing the offensiveness of the song, reprimanding the student who played it, or having a conversation with them about it.

The complaint claims that Kelaia’s parents complained about the bullying and harassment on a regular basis. But nothing has changed in spite of our efforts to solve the problem, her mother said during the campaign.

The Turner family is currently fighting for justice for their daughter, who was once happy and gifted but is now nonverbal and wheelchair-bound.

Ty stated during the charity event, “We believe that Kelaia has a purpose and that her story can inspire others, so we are fighting for her healing and well-being every day.”

WYFF was notified by Greenville Public Schools that it was aware of Turner’s accusations.

The district spokeswoman said, “We reject these accusations and have thoroughly investigated and reviewed each allegation at the time it was made.” Our sympathies are with Kelaia Tecora Turner, her mother, and their family, even though we disagree with the accusations.

For reaction, PEOPLE has reached out to Josh Christian, the family’s lawyer, and the school district.

If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please visit 988lifeline.org, text STRENGTH to 741741, or call 988.

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