The mother of the 12-year-old Lakeland girl who committed suicide last year after being tormented by classmates has taken a preliminary step toward suing the Polk County School District.
A lawyer for Patricia Norman, Rebecca Sedwick's mother, has filed a notice of intent to sue, a document required of anyone in Florida planning to sue a government entity. It does not guarantee that a lawsuit will be filed.
The notice alleges that Rebecca was "viciously and persistently bulled" while attending Crystal Lake Middle School before being moved to Lawton Chiles Middle Academy and that the school board failed to protect her despite having "specific knowledge of the bullying."
The school district says it will not comment unless a suit is filed.