VIDEO: Mother Speaks Up About Bullying

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – A Starkville mother is using tragedy to try to save lives.

She knows the pain of losing a child and the dangerous ripple effect bullying can have.

This is Anti-Bullying month and this mom is sharing her message with anyone that will listen.

Laoneda Carpenter lost her daughter, Mariah, to suicide back in April.

She was 12 years old. Since then her mother has made a point to tell her daughter’s story.

“Bullying really has broke our hearts,” says Carpenter.

When Laoneda Carpenter wakes up every morning, she’s reminded of her family’s loss.

12 year-old Mariah, died April 29th, but that’s when her new life story really began.

“Since the incident happened, I have been travelling, and travelling, going to different churches, going to different events just telling Mariah’s story,” says Carpenter.

She’s calling it Mariah’s voice.

“When I tell her story, I tell from the time I got home up until the time I found her hanging from that tree,” says Carpenter.

Carpenter says it’s not easy to hear, but feels it’s a story that needs to be heard.

“Sometimes you have to be straight forward and let them know exactly what’s happening and how it affects not only me but the whole community of Starkville, it’s not just me that’s hurt- it’s everyone,” says Carpenter.

Carpenter says by talking about her pain, it shows school kids the reality and repercussions of bullying. There’s also a message to parents.

“If our kids have cell phones and they are on social media you need to be on their page looking at what they’re doing,” says Carpenter.

She says talking about her daughter’s death is not easy, but raising awareness is something that has to be done.

“It hurts every time I have to get up and speak in front of someone to tell her story but it’s something I need to do because I don’t want her voice to go dead. She may not be physically here with me but her voice is in me,” says Carpenter.

Carpenter also has a small group for young girls to talk. For more information on the group, you can click here.

Categories: Local News

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