Family of 13-year-old boy who hanged himself sues his private Brooklyn Catholic school for ignoring 'months of relentless bullying from classmates and teachers'
- Daniel Fitzpatrick committed suicide at his Staten Island home August 2016
- Wrote a two-page letter detailing in length the bullying he suffered at school
- Parents Maureen and Daniel are suing the Holy Angels Catholic Academy
- Principal Rosemarie McGoldrick and Diocese of Brooklyn are also defendants
- Fitzpatricks said one fight on a playground was so bad Daniel fractured a finger
- They said he feared his teachers and one called him 'lazy' in front of students
The family of a 13-year-old boy who took his own life after months of bullying is now suing the Brooklyn Catholic school they said did nothing to save him.
Daniel Fitzpatrick committed suicide at his Staten Island home on August 11, 2016, after writing a heartbreaking letter, suggesting he was relentlessly tormented by his classmates and teachers.
His family have been outspoken about their pain since losing their son, and on Thursday filed a lawsuit against the Holy Angels Catholic Academy.
Scroll down for video
The family of 13-year-old Daniel Fitzpatrick, who committed suicide after months of bullying, is suing his former school the Holy Angels Catholic Academy in Brooklyn, New York
Daniel and Maureen Fitzpatrick (pictured with the teen) said their son was relentlessly tormented for months but that the school said it was a 'phase that would pass'
Rosemarie McGoldrick, the school's principal, and the Diocese of Brooklyn have also been named as defendants in the suit, according to the New York Daily News.
Daniel detailed at length the relentless bullying he suffered at the hands of students at the school in a two-page letter he wrote shortly before his death.
But on the day that he died, there was little indication that the teen planned to take his own life.
Kristen Fitzpatrick, Daniel's sister, recently revealed the last words her brother spoke to her.
The lawsuit claims that Daniel (pictured)was even bullied by several of his teachers, including one who called him 'lazy' in front of students
'I had to get on the computer, so I kicked him off, but before he got off the computer he just gave me a hug and kiss and said "I love you, Kristen'", she said.
It was Kristen who would discover Daniel's body, hours later, in the attic.
She recalled trying to find her brother in the house before finally making it to the 'last room I thought to look'.
'Why would he there, an empty room?' she recalled thinking to herself. 'I went up there, saw his legs, told him to come down.'
'I said "Danny!" He wasn't moving, I ran to try and pick him up. I panicked. Called my parents, they didn't pick up at first. I was hysterical, scared, called 911.'
'I was freaking out that day, I was hysterical. I couldn't handle it. It was really scary. I didn't know what to do.'
The lawsuit states that Daniel was 'relentlessly victimized, tormented and bullied' at the school.
Details of the bullying were laid out in detail by Daniel in his letter, in which he described that at first life at the school was good.
Lots of friends, good grades and a great life, but I moved and went back and it was different,' Daniel wrote.
'My old friends changed, they didn't talk to me, they didn't even like me.'
The teen described a fight he had with a student and former friend, which led to the other pupil being punished.
Daniel's parents said four or five boys had ganged up on him in the playground in a fight that left him with a broken finger.
The teen revealed that his former friend blamed him for getting in trouble, something that only made the bullying worse.
Daniel detailed at length the relentless bullying he suffered at the hands of students at the school in a two-page letter he wrote shortly before his death
The letter was posted online by his family friend after Daniel took his own life
'They continued, I gave up, the teachers either they didn't do anything!' he wrote.
'I told all the teachers nothing except one… she was the nicest teacher ever she understood and did something but it didn't last long.'
'I wanted to get out, I begged and I pleaded. Eventually I did, I failed but I didn't care. I was out that's all I wanted.'
Daniel's shattered mother, Maureen Fitzpatrick, said her son was let down by the school.
'Danny said that he was afraid of his teachers. He felt like the whole school knew what was going on and was laughing behind his back. They humiliated him,' she told the New York Daily News.
'My son shouldn't have to die to be heard,' she added. 'There's something wrong with the adults in authority positions when kids can't go to them for help.'
The lawsuit claims that Daniel was even bullied by several of his teachers, including one who called him 'lazy' in front of other students in class.
Kristen said that same teacher was known for publicly displaying low test scores in an effort to shame struggling students.
The lawsuit states that Daniel was 'relentlessly victimized, tormented and bullied' at the Holy Angels Catholic Academy (pictured)
In his letter, Daniel said that he was incessantly bullied over his grades, as well as his weight and kindness.
The Fitzpatricks said that they contacted school officials about Daniel's grades, telling administrators he couldn't concentrate amid the non-stop bullying.
Maureen said they met with McGoldrick, alleging that she said the bullying was a phase that would pass.
Shortly after his death, Daniel's parents also claimed that the school called child services instead of trying to stop the bullying their son was suffering at school.
'Danny told us they [administrators] were asking questions: 'Do Mom and Dad drink? Do they feed you? Do they have clothes in the house?' Mareen told the New York Post.
'Next thing you know, 7:30 at night, I have an ACS officer at my door, and my son told him, "I just want a friend."'
A report filed by the New York City's Administration of Children's Services, obtained by the Washington Post, revealed there was trouble in Daniel's home life as well.
Daniel's shattered mother, Maureen Fitzpatrick, said her son was let down by the school and even 'afraid of his teachers'
Daniel's father, also named Daniel, posted a heartbreaking 18-minute video on Facebook as he tried to cope with his son's death
'Danny said mom being drunk affects him in everything and makes him angry,' the report stated.
'He said dad also drinks, but controls himself more than mom. Student can't remember a time when mom was not drunk often.'
The report added that Daniel's sister, Kristen, and his father, also named Daniel, would lock him in the attic 'to protect him' when his mother had been drinking.
Rosemarie McGoldrick (pictured), the school's principal, and the Diocese of Brooklyn have been named as defendants
'Danny denies physical abuse by mom and dad, but says Kristen, his older sister, hides him in the attic or his room when mom is drunk. He says his dad and Kristen protect him.'
'Danny denies suicidal thoughts, but feels angry, sad, has thoughts of wanting to run away,' the report adds.
'Mother is blaming his teachers for his failures and has written several accusatory letters to school. Student is afraid of both parents' anger.'
Daniel did not mention anything about his home life in the letter.
The lawsuit claims Daniel's school and its leaders knew everything about the teen's situation with his peers - and yet did nothing to help him.
'The need for training and supervision concerning bullying prevention and response was obvious and necessary,' it states.
The lawsuit also claims that McGoldrick, the diocese and school board chairman Michael Long 'failed to implement proven strategies to prevent and deter bullying in catholic schools'.
Long said he could not talk about the lawsuit due to pending litigation.
Daily Mail Online reached out to Holy Angels Catholic Academy, who said they had no comment.
The lawsuit states that Daniel was not the only child bullied at the school and claimed the Diocese of Brooklyn 'was aware for many years prior to 2015 of an ongoing bullying issue throughout their Catholic School Network'.
A bullying prevention program was then implemented and described in the parent-student handbook.
Kristen Fitzpatrick, Daniel's sister, (pictured together left) recently revealed the last words her brother spoke to her were 'I love you'
The rule 'we help students who are bullied' was included.
Officials with the diocese promised to reexamine 'all bullying prevention policies and training' following Daniel's suicide.
'The principal, teachers, and staff of Holy Angels Catholic Academy are heartbroken over the loss of Danny Fitzpatrick,' a spokeswoman said in a statement.
'We take the issue of bullying very seriously and address every incident that is brought to our attention.'
Scott Rynecki, the Fitzpatrick's lawyer, said the family plan to fight for state lawmakers to modify an anti-bullying policy to include private and religious institutions.
They hope to name the law after Danny, and honor one of his last requests.
'Mom I want them to know what they did to me and how I feel,' he wrote.
'I want them to hear my story.'
For confidential support call the National Suicide Prevention Line on 1-800-273-8255
Most watched News videos
- Trump's bodyguard's 'prosthetic hands' during inauguration parade
- Tory councillor's bizarre reaction when confronted by activist
- Sleepy dog tries to stay awake as he and owner watch movie together
- Shia LaBeouf arrested during livestream rant against Trump
- American soldier Jose Medina shares a dance with Melania Trump
- Baby Theodore settles into White House in Ivanka Instagram video
- It's real! Trump's bodyguard moves his hand
- Noisy protest in library is brought to an abrupt end
- Excited German Shepherd can't wait to see owner after weeks apart
- Hundreds watch migrant attempt at drowning himself
- Footage appears to show Iraqi forces executing ISIS fighters
- Dramatic moment skier falls off cliff he didn't see
-
Next stop, Necker Island: Barack and Michelle Obama are all...
-
Trump's migrant crackdown: The President will start building...
-
'¡No, no puede!': New White House begins with English-only...
-
What happens when you wear a Trump hat in NYC? Controversial...
-
White House press secretary Sean Spicer waged a one-sided,...
-
PIERS MORGAN: Memo to anyone who voted for Trump or Brexit -...
-
Chelsea Handler is accused of immigrant-shaming Melania for...
-
EXCLUSIVE: Now it's Caribbean sunshine on Richard Branson's...
-
'Nobody believes they're twins!': Adorable girls with...
-
Horrifying home security video shows home aide HITTING an...
-
Sportscaster Erin Andrews reveals her secret battle with...
-
Kellyanne Conway allegedly punched a tuxedo-clad man...