Jada West’s Family Says She Recently Transferred Schools and Had Been Dealing With Bullying Before
A Georgia community is mourning the death of 12 year old Jada West, who died after collapsing following a fight with other students near a school bus stop earlier this month.
According to her family, the Mason Creek Middle School student got into an altercation with a group of girls after getting off the school bus on March 5.
Cellphone video circulating online reportedly shows West involved in a confrontation on a residential street. During the incident, she fell hard to the ground. After getting up and walking away from the fight, she suddenly collapsed nearby.
Her mother, Rashunda McClendon, said she rushed to the scene after one of West’s friends alerted her.
“I got in the car and drove up there, and she was on the ground. She wasn’t breathing,” McClendon told WSB TV Atlanta.
Jada West Hospitalized Before Death
West was initially taken to Tanner Medical Center, where her mother said the preteen began experiencing seizures.
Doctors later transferred her to Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital, where she slipped into a coma.
Despite medical efforts, West later died. “I don’t understand. And she was on the ground, she wasn’t breathing,” McClendon told Fox 5 Atlanta.
“I’m so angry. We have to teach our children to love.”
Family Says Bullying May Have Played a Role
Family members say West had only recently transferred to Mason Creek Middle School in January and had already been dealing with bullying.
They are now searching for answers as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the fight and her death.
“Nobody tried to stop it. No one tried to call the police and stop it,” McClendon said. “It’s gotta stop. It must stop. Violence has to stop.”
Another family member, Dequala McClendon, expressed frustration and grief.
“And it’s not right that this little girl and the other kids get to go to school,” she said. “My niece is not here anymore. My niece was in the hospital with a tube in her throat.”
School District Responds as Police Investigation Continues
The Douglas County School System released a statement offering condolences to West’s family and those affected by the tragedy.
“She will be remembered by her teachers, her classmates, and all who knew her,” the district said in a statement.
Officials also clarified that the altercation did not happen on school property or during school hours.
“This incident did not occur on school property or during school hours, and there is nothing to indicate that this is related to any on campus activity,” the statement said. Because of that, the case is currently under investigation by the Villa Rica Police Department.
Authorities are awaiting the results of an autopsy as they continue to determine exactly what caused West’s death and whether any charges could follow.
