On June 21, 2019, 11-year-old Evaëlle took her life after enduring severe bullying at school, leading to a trial against her teacher, accused of harassment. Despite changing schools, the torment persisted, exacerbated by the teacher’s negative comments and inadequate support. After discovering a letter from classmates rejecting Evaëlle, her parents filed a complaint. The teacher denied wrongdoing, but investigations revealed troubling behaviors. In May 2023, she was indicted for harassment leading to suicide, which sparked outrage from Evaëlle’s parents.
The Tragic Case of Evaëlle: A Story of Bullying and Loss
On June 21, 2019, the heartbreaking story of 11-year-old Evaëlle unfolded in Herblay-sur-Seine, Val-d’Oise, when she tragically took her own life at home after enduring relentless bullying at school. This distressing situation forced her to switch schools mid-year, but unfortunately, the torment did not cease. Central to this complex narrative is a French teacher, aged 62, who is now facing accusations of contributing to the emotional distress that led to Evaëlle’s tragic decision.
Trial and Testimonies: Unraveling the Events
The trial of Evaëlle’s teacher commenced on a Monday and Tuesday at the correctional court in Pontoise, where she faces charges of harassment against a minor. The parents of the victim, along with the teacher, shared their perspectives in a recent interview that highlighted the complexities of this case.
It all began with a seemingly innocuous issue concerning school supplies. Evaëlle’s parents, Marie and Sébastien Dupuis, had purchased a binder for their daughter to lighten her backpack. Allegedly, the teacher reacted negatively, stating, “If you don’t come back with a notebook, I won’t accept you in my class,” as recounted by Evaëlle’s mother. This comment marked the beginning of a series of tense interactions documented in the correspondence notebook.
In October, a meeting was convened by the principal for the parents of Evaëlle’s classmates due to a rising concern about discipline within the classroom. During this meeting, a mother brought up allegations of harassment by the teacher. Evaëlle’s friends confirmed that she was facing significant difficulties in French class. Despite the parents’ hopes for resolution, the problem persisted.
After requesting a meeting with both the principal and the teacher, the latter denied any wrongdoing, stating that it was challenging for parents to understand classroom dynamics. “If I don’t make comments, how does it go?” she defended herself, claiming her intent was to assist Evaëlle with her struggles.
Weeks later, after a troubling incident where Evaëlle attempted to set fire to her home, her parents discovered a heart-wrenching letter from her classmates stating they no longer wanted to be friends. This prompted Marie to compile a list of students with whom Evaëlle had conflicts, revealing a troubling pattern of bullying involving about fifteen peers.
Despite the establishment of an anti-bullying protocol, the support offered to Evaëlle was inadequate, with her being the only student seen by the school counselor. Reports of further incidents, including physical altercations and humiliating experiences orchestrated by the teacher, continued to surface. In a pivotal moment, Evaëlle’s parents decided to remove her from the school and filed a complaint against the teacher and two students.
The teacher, during police questioning, maintained that her intentions were to mediate disputes rather than target Evaëlle. However, the aftermath of the situation left Evaëlle with no escape from the harassment, leading to her tragic decision on June 21, when she was found hanged in her room.
The community was left reeling, and the investigation into the harassment was reopened. As more testimonies emerged, it became clear that the teacher’s methods were questionable, with some students recalling her setting up a system for peers to voice grievances about Evaëlle. In May 2023, the teacher was indicted for harassment leading to suicide, although she continues to assert her innocence, claiming that she never intended to harm the student.
The judicial system later dismissed the charge of involuntary manslaughter against the teacher, leading to outrage among Evaëlle’s parents, who feel the educator played a significant role in their daughter’s emotional struggles. “She cannot say she did not participate in our daughter’s mental state,” Marie stated, emphasizing the teacher’s influence on the toxic environment that contributed to Evaëlle’s tragic fate.