"IF IT WERE NOT FOR THE INCOMPETENCE OF TERRY BOUCK, THIS CHILD WOULD BE ALIVE TODAY !!!"

http://www.ktvq.com/news/was-bullying-partly-to-blame-for-death-of-billings-middle-school-student-/

BILLINGS - The death of a young Riverside Middle School student last week left the Billings and Hardin communities in mourning.

Now, allegations of bullying have been made.

Zoey Not Afraid was 11 when she died.

Friends and family remembered her as a kind and caring young girl. She loved to dance and shop and anything the color pink.

Since her death, there have been more questions than answers.

"I certainly want to know the truth," said Big Horn County Justice of the Peace Leroy Not Afraid, Zoey's father. "I certainly want to know the circumstances surrounding anything."

The Yellowstone County Coroner confirmed Thursday that Zoey died from apparent suicide by hanging.

Statistics show suicide is rare for someone so young.

Information from a Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services shows that for children ages 5 to 14 there were only eight completed suicides in 2012.

"I know that while my daughter was in the hospital, several of her classmates approached our family with concerns of bullying at the school district, with concerns themselves of living in fear, going to school in fear," said Not Afraid.

School District 2 Superintendent Terry Bouck said the school was never notified of any bullying involving Zoey.

Bouck released this statement Thursday:

"As educators, and compassionate adults, we care deeply about the care and safety of all of our kids. We continue to grieve the loss of one of our students. When something like this happens, we, of course, want to know why and whether it is in any way related to school. We have no indication at all that this was related to school. As in any tragedy, we will continue to look at everything. We continue to express our deepest sympathy and sadness."

A notice sent to Riverside parents from Principal Shaun Harrington last week evoked questions from the community.

A line in the note that sparked curiosity said, "It is believed that it was an accident and that Zoey did not really want to die."

Though it wasn't an accident, suicide prevention board member Donald Harr agreed with those words.

"It's not that an individual, even a child, doesn't basically want to die," said Harr. "That's not the purpose. The purpose is to get away from this terrible feeling."

And regardless of whether or not there was bullying going on, Harr said it's important to identify signs of suicide risk.

Behaviors to look for include: Sulking, no motivation, and a loss of interest in hobbies.

Not Afraid said he will meet with Bouck and other school officials next week to further discuss the issue.

Not Afraid also added that, in light of his daughter's death, he is not making any public appearances as he runs for re-election.

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TERRY BOUCK, as described on the website: www.terrybouck.com , has proven to be UNFIT to be the Superintendent of Billings, Montana School District Number Two. 
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BULLYING is a terrible thing which has existed in the Billngs, Montana School District reaching back to the 1970's. 
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TERRY BOUCK is a disgrace to Billings, Montana School District Two, and is UNFIT to hold any public office. 
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Please feel welcome to post your views concerning the misconduct of TERRY BOUCK at the Message Board on: www.terrybouck.com 
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Best Professional Regards, 
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George Hutchins (MPA) "MA" (BS)
Former Full-Time U.S. Marine: 1996 - 2000.
U.S. Marine Corps Legal Services.
Parris Island Graduate.
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1991 Gulf War Veteran. Full-Time Regular U.S. Army Sergeant.
OPERATION DESERT STORM Veteran - Battle of Norfolk Veteran. 
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MASTERS DEGREE (MPA) "MA" Public Administration.
Webster University, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina Campus.
Completed: 1998.
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BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE (BS) Criminal Justice. 
University of Texas at El Paso. 
Completed: 1986.
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www.terrybouck.com