Family of Jada West vows to investigate 12-year-old's death
Family seeks answers in 12-year-old's death
The family of a Mason Creek Middle School student has hired several law firms to investigate potential negligence following her death after a neighborhood fight.
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ga. - Representatives for the family of 12-year-old Jada West held a press conference on Monday morning following the girl’s death after a fight that began with an argument on a school bus.
What we know:
West died last week while in a coma after the altercation that happened in the Ashley Place neighborhood. The incident has drawn attention from the community as questions remain about what led up to the fight.
Although West was able to get up after the fight, she later collapsed and died at the hospital.
Her mother previously told FOX 5 that Jada had endured repeated bullying after recently transferring to Mason Creek Middle School.
During Monday's press conference, representatives for the family once again claimed that she had been bullied and demanded a full investigation into what happened that day be conducted by the proper authorities.
PREVIOUS STORY: 12-year-old Villa Rica girl dies following fight, family wants answers
RAW: Jada West family press conference
Family of Jada West holds a press conference after the 12-year-old girl dies after a fight with another student off school property. The family claims the young girl was being bullied and are demanding an inquiry.
What they're saying:
Attorneys Harry Daniels and Gerald Griggs announced during the conference that they would be investigating the case themselves to determine whether legal action is appropriate.
"We want to find out why she's [West] not here. If it was some negligence by the school system, the bus driver, or anybody alike, or an intentional act, we don't know," said Daniels. "We are currently seeking that information through different channels."
In a previous interview with FOX 5, West's family said the other girl involved in the fight got off at West's bus stop instead of her own.
Sources confirmed to FOX 5 that Villa Rica police and the Douglas County District Attorney's office met last week to review investigative findings.
Douglas County schools previously offered condolences over West's death, but said that the incident did not occur on school property or during school hours and there was nothing to indicate the situation was related to on-campus activity.
"Georgia has a bullying problem," Griggs said. "Georgia has an accountability problem and, unfortunately, Jada will have to be the beacon of light to the entire state."
"We don't know everything. We do know that we have a 12-year-old that should be here today," Daniels added.
What we don't know:
West's autopsy and her cause of death have not yet been publicly released.