An 11-year-old New Jersey girl committed suicide in her school bathroom days after the death of her father, a police detective, from cancer and a week after she emailed school authorities to inform them that she was being harassed, her mother said in a new interview. Mom of 11-Year-Old Says Bullying Drove Her to Suicide. Keep reading this post to know who is Felicia LoAlbo-Melendez and what happened to her in detail.
What happened to Felicia LoAlbo-Melendez?
Police in New Jersey report that an 11-year-old girl committed suicide in the school toilet just days after her detective father passed away from cancer and a week after her mother allegedly complained about bullying to school administrators via email.
The sixth-grader, identified by her mother as Felicia LoAlbo-Melendez, was discovered unconscious inside a toilet stall on February 6 at around 1 p.m. at Mount Holly’s F.W. Holbein School, according to the Daily Voice.
The Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office reported on New Jersey 101.5 that “help was promptly sought from staff members, and lifesaving measures were taken by school administrators, police, and emergency medical technicians.”
The statement continued, “The student was transported by EMS to a nearby hospital before being sent to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where she was pronounced dead on February 8.”
Autopsy Results
According to the results of an autopsy by the Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office, the sixth-grader committed suicide. She was by herself in the lavatory when this awful event occurred, according to the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office’s inquiry.
It also included a review of the school’s security cameras, the agency informed NJ.com. Her death was not the result of foul play, the prosecutor’s office claims.
Felicia’s Mother’s statement
According to her mother, Felicia passed away not long after her father, NJ Transit Detective Alexis Melendez, passed away on Jan. 25 from pancreatic cancer, and not long after she complained about bullying to school officials via email.
Her mother, Elaina LoAlbo, told NJ.com on Saturday that her daughter “had herself written multiple emails to the administration documenting the occurrences, however, no one was ever questioned.”
The heartbroken mother told the site that “they have pushed under the rug the bullying that she and so many other students in that school have suffered and now they’re doing the same with this probe.”
According to LoAlbo on Facebook, Felicia suggested in an email to school administrators a month before she passed away that they start a “trauma club” where students may go to feel safe talking about pressures.
“I was watching TV and thinking about the things in my life that happened to me and I got a wonderful idea,” her daughter wrote in an email, which she cited. It would be a trauma club instead of a theatre club. I would offer any assistance I can.
It would require a space that is just right—not too huge, nor too small. We would also require a few chairs. But I hope it does. In my opinion, this would be amazing because I have heard from friends and others about things that have happened to them. Enjoy your night. Felicia reportedly wrote, “Go dragons.
Felicia was a bright light who impacted so many people. She was an old spirit, smart beyond her brief 11 years, LoAlbo stated in the homage to her daughter published on February 24.
She remarked, “Unfortunately, Felicia’s upbeat outlook was not enough to combat the persistent bullying she was fighting inside the walls of our school.
Felicia’s final email
She continued, “Felicia’s final email to her school in the week before she died indicated to them that she and her friends were being bullied, that laws were in place to protect them, and that they were breaking the law by doing nothing. The terrifying voicemail that Felicia left in 2021 was also posted by LoAlbo.
Felicia is heard stating, “Unless you’re me, well, you’re listening to this from the future.” “Hello, future Mom, future Dad, and everyone else. Never, ever, ever… be bad, never, ever, ever give up on your pals.
School’s Statement
Robert Mungo, the superintendent of schools, confirmed a student’s death in a letter on February 8 but omitted to identify the kid or the suicide attempt that had taken place within the facility.
“To the community of Mount Holly School: We received news of one of our pupils’ passing today. The whole school community is impacted by these unfortunate developments, the letter claims, NJ 101.5 reports.
Our top objective in this incredibly trying time is to offer guidance and assistance. To address the needs of our school community, we will continue to collaborate as an administrative team with our Board and employees, he continued.
The websites and phone numbers for mental health and counseling services were also provided by Mungo. Seth Turner claimed that Felicia was one of the “brightest kids I have ever known” and that his daughter was good friends with her. He also claimed that before Felicia’s passing, “my daughter confided in me that Felicia was being bullied by other students in her class.”
According to NJ 101.5, he stated, “I need to apologize for this. I failed to provide this knowledge to any teachers or employees in time for anything to be done.”
“Stop Bullying”
While there will never be a truly proper response to the loss of an 11-year-old girl, Turner concluded, “our response to this tragedy so far has been pathetic.” Felicia merits better, I say. She deserves a thorough investigation, a full accounting, and the truth, and I hope we can provide it to her, the speaker continued.
A petition on Change.org demands the disclosure of surveillance footage from the area around the restroom where Felicia was discovered. “After being told 50 times, the school administration ignored me. Perhaps they are now prepared to listen to us. Bullying must stop right away. There should be repercussions for what they did, Elaina remarked.
This awful outcome is inexplicable and could have been avoided, she continued. “Making sure that her legacy endures and that these awful stories are heard has become my life’s work. That call shouldn’t have to be made to a parent.
In light of the continuing inquiry, the school board has chosen not to comment, according to NJ.com. Moreover, Mungo declined to comment when asked by NJ 101.5.
Two days before Felicia was discovered, her father’s memorial service was held. NJ Transit police paid sincere homage to Melendez on Twitter, saying that his “excellent police work shone, and he was later assigned to a plainclothes capacity.”
“As an officer in plain clothes, Melendez protected your journeys by blending in with the traveling populace. According to officials, the detective was also a member of the DEA Task Force, and his numerous efforts “always served to secure your safety.”
Felicia was discovered in the restroom only three days after Adriana Olivia Kuch, a 14-year-old freshman at Central Regional High School in Bayville, New Jersey, committed suicide after getting beaten up by other students and receiving a cruel text about the attack.
Who is Felicia LoAlbo-Melendez?
On February 8, 2023, Felicia A. LoAlbo-Melendez, age 11, of Mt. Holly passed away in the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Alexis Melendez and Elaina LoAlbo, her parents, welcomed her into the world on December 19, 2011.
In addition to enjoying Halloween, Krav Maga, and crafts, Felicia also enjoyed anime and theatre. She also adored reading. She was the kind of person that everyone aspires to be.
Felicia had a beautiful personality and was genuinely nice and selfless. Her family and friends will miss her greatly because she was the most devoted daughter, sister, grandchild, niece, cousin, and friend.
Felicia has traveled coast to coast, snorkeled the Great Barrier Reef, and built FairyLand. Her real-life experiences, coupled with her imagination could have gotten her so far. She was destined for great things from the moment she was born.
Felicia LoAlbo-Melendez Obituary
(Credit: Facebook)
Felicia is predeceased by her father, Alexis Melendez; her paternal grandmother, Felicia Mosquera; and her maternal grandfather, Alan LoAlbo.
She leaves behind her mother, Elaina LoAlbo of Mt. Holly; her two big brothers, Jarret LoAlbo, and Brian Dunleavy; many aunts, uncles, and cousins; her Tribe, and many school friends.
Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life for Felicia on Saturday, February 18, 2023, from 12 PM to 2 PM at Tilghman Funeral Home located at 52 Main Street, New Egypt, NJ 08533 with a memorial service starting at 2 PM.
Following the service, the family invites everyone to meet at 4 PM at Dadz Bar & Grill located at 744 Main Street, Lumberton NJ 08048. Please bring your favorite picture of Felicia to attach to the picture boards.
4 The family has also invited everyone to attend Art Therapy Night called “Felicia’s Fingerprints” Friday, February 17, 2023, from 5 PM to 8 PM at Mt. Holly Moose Lodge No. 737 located at 853 Woodland Road, Mt. Holly, NJ 08060.
Please bring a book in memory of Felicia for “Felicia’s Reading Corner.” In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Felica’s name can be made to VNACJ Community Health Center/ Asbury Care Team, 1301 Main Street Asbury Park NJ 07712 or donations can be made online at (https://vnahg.org/donate-vnacjchc).
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Lavanya (Senior Editor) is a full-time content writer with almost 5 years of experience and a part-time teacher. She joined Medico Topics on the Breaking News trainee scheme in 2022 and now works on MedicoTopics.com. As a lifelong learner, She is constantly curious about learning new things and passionate about sharing knowledge with people through her writing and teaching.