No Criminal Charges after 10-Year-Old South Carolina Girl Dies after a School Fight

Details surrounding the death of a fifth-grader in South Carolina earlier this week is still under wraps while the family mourns the loss of their “baby girl.”

Authorities are yet to divulge the details of what they confirmed to be a classroom fight on March 25 at Forest Hills Elementary School that led to 10-year-old Raniya Wright’s death.

The young girl died two days after a fight with another fifth-grader at the Medical University of South Carolina at 9:39 am on Wednesday. According to the police, no weapons were used during the fight.

In an email to PEOPLE, Colleton County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Shalane Lowes confirmed the altercation and added that no criminal charges or arrests had been made in the active case involving Raniya’s death.

The Sheriff’s office released a press statement whereby they said that school administrators “ended the fight and called emergency medical services to the school.”

Lowes added that an autopsy to determine Raniya’s cause of death got scheduled for March 29 while a student from Walterboro school got suspended while the investigation is underway.

Police got called to Forest Hills Elementary School around 1 pm on Monday after Raniya “collapsed” and was “unconscious but breathing” in the nurse’s station.

Raniya’s devastated mother, Ashley Wright, kept friends informed about her condition on Facebook until she shared the last tragic post on Wednesday. “As of 9:39 my baby girl has gained her wings ?? justice4Ny,” she wrote.

In her updates about Raniya, she urged parents to be vigilant about bullying as she believes it to be what led to her death.

As a well-liked student and junior usher at her church the school district “is saddened by the event” and provided the school with councilors to support teachers and students alike. A GoFundMe page got set up for the Raniya’s family to aid in hospital and funeral expenses.

According to national survey’s most bullying happens at school and should not be brushed off by authorities as it can leave deep emotional scars, and in cases like Raniya’s, it can lead to death or similarly, suicide.

It can often be difficult to tell if a child is being bullied if there are no visible signs of injury, but there are some other warning signs. Bullied children will often try an avoid places the abuse takes place, like suddenly walking to school instead of taking the bus as usual.

Sudden disturbances in eating and sleeping habits can also be a telltale sign that something is amiss, along with avoiding activities they usually enjoy.

Children often feel ashamed about being bullied or threatened with harm if they say anything and are therefore reluctant to come forward. Offer support and comfort calmly if a child opens up about being bullied, and take it seriously.

Make sure the child understands that its the bully who is in the wrong and praise the child for talking about it. Notify the school principal about the situation so they can monitor the situation and put a stop to it.

If you are being bullied, know that you did nothing wrong and that you deserve to be happy, safe and unafraid, not only that, it is your right.

In a similar and touching story, a father invited his 14-year-old daughter’s bullies to her funeral after she committed suicide early last year.