UPDATE: October 15, 2013
Katelyn Roman, 12, and Guadalupe Shaw, 14, the two teens charged with felony aggravated stalking, which investigators say, likely contributed to 12-year-old Rebecca Sedwick taking her life, made a first appearance before a circuit judge on Tuesday.
Roman was released back into her parents’ custody due to her remorse and cooperation. She is on home detention and not allowed to attend school, investigators said.
Shaw, who showed little remorse, was remanded into custody, pending further juvenile proceedings.
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On Monday, Polk County deputies identified the two middle school students who they say, bullied and maliciously harassed Rebecca Sedwick, 12 years old, causing her to take her own life.
Katelyn Roman, 12, and Guadalupe Shaw, 14, were arrested on Monday and charged with felony aggravated stalking. Investigators said, Roman and Shaw bullied Sedwick on different occasions through name-calling, intimidation, threats to beat her up and at least one actual physical fight.
Witnesses told investigators, including a boyfriend of Shaw’s who had previously been Rebecca’s boyfriend, Shaw had several arguments with Rebecca via Facebook, as well as verbal confrontations at school. During the incidents, Rebecca was observed walking away from Shaw and not engaging, leading witnesses to determine that Rebecca was being bullied by Shaw.
Shaw also reportedly bullied anyone who was friends with Rebecca. For this reason, some children did not want to be friends with Rebecca, out of fear of being bullied by Shaw.
Witnesses also reported that Shaw sent messages to Rebecca, calling her ugly, telling her to drink bleach and die, and telling Rebecca that she [Rebecca] should kill herself. Shaw tried to instigate physical fights with Rebecca on more than one occasion.
Shaw also instigated fighting between Roman and Rebecca, investigators said. Roman was friends with Rebecca, until Shaw convinced Roman to stop being friends with her. Roman was suspended for one fight that occurred in February 2013, during which Shaw encouraged Roman to “beat up” Rebecca. Investigators learned that, Rebecca did not fight back.
Roman, when interviewed recently by detectives admitted that, she “bullied” Rebecca, and that she was sorry for doing it.
Sedwick committed suicide on September 10, by jumping from a concrete silo tower. Investigators say, the malicious harassment by Roman and Shaw was likely a contributing factor in Rebecca’s decision to commit suicide.
Shaw and Roman were arrested Monday evening, October 14, 2013, and booked into the JAC. They were released from the JAC the same evening, into their respective parents’ custody. They remain on home detention.
Horrible monsters. Now you both will pay for your crimes and your parents will get sued so badly you will loose your stupid trailer you live in. Rebecca can’t stick up for her self anymore thanks to you but there are a group of people that are tired of this sort of crap that when you get out of jail you bassically have runined your lives.
Although weak… and capable of committing heinous acts against a once-upon-a-time friend… I suspect that the 12 year old was bullied into bullying. Doesn’t make it right, but seems the 14 year old is the main instigator… with absolutely no soul.
PS: These girls look old beyond their years… I have a 12 year old daughter, and she still looks like a 12 year old girl. These two look to be much older… and street wise. Sad… I’m not sympathetic… but it is sad.