SAN JOSE, Calif. - Authorities arrested three 16-year-old boys Thursday on charges that they sexually assaulted a 15-year-old who killed herself eight days after the attack. A family attorney said Audrie Pott was humiliated by online photos of the assault and posted on Facebook that her life was ruined, worst day ever, and hanged herself.
The family has been trying to understand why their loving daughter would have taken her life at such a young age and to make sure that those responsible would be held accountable, said family attorney Robert Allard.
After an extensive investigation that we have conducted on behalf of the family, there is no doubt in our minds that the victim, then only 15 years old, was savagely assaulted by her fellow high school students while she lay on a bed completely unconscious, said Allen.
Allard said students used cell phones to share photos of the attack, and that the images went viral. The news of the boys' arrest comes just days after another teen, Canadian Rehtaeh Parsons, committed suicide following what her mother says was bullying after four teen boys allegedly raped her and posted photos of the attack online.
Police arrested the boys on charges of sexual battery, seven months after the girl's suicide. The names of the suspects were not released because they are minors.
Cardoza said the suspects were booked into juvenile hall and face two felonies and one misdemeanor each, all related to sexual battery that allegedly occurred at a Saratoga house party.
Full article
Such a beautiful young girl and a whole life ahead of her. This is very sad but it also makes me very angry. The juveniles who allegedly raped her and post online pictures with get off with a slap on the wrist. I also feel the parents of ALL involved hold some blame as well. This is what happens when a parent has no idea where their kids are or what they are up to. The parents who went away leaving a 16 year old boy home alone with alcohol in the house need to take a good hard look as to their part in this tragedy.
That's my opinion, what's yours?
