Family, Friends Say Goodbye to Bailey

The Delaware County 6th grader died this week after being in a coma. His family says a bully put him there.

Family and friends said a final goodbye to Bailey O’Neill today. The Delaware County 6th grader died this week after being in a coma. His family says a bully put him there.

A final viewing was held this morning at Cavanaugh's Funeral Home located at 301 Chester Pike in Norword, Pa. Funeral Services were held shortly after at St. Joeseph's Church located at 500 Woodlawn Avenue in Collingdale, Pa.

O'Neill died at the hospital last Sunday morning after being taken off life support. O'Neill, who turned 12 the day before he died, had been in a medically-induced coma after suffering several seizures.

Those seizures started nearly two weeks after O'Neill was jumped by two classmates during recess, according to O'Neill's family. He suffered a concussion as well as a broken nose in the fight. After the seizures began, doctors put the boy in a medically-induced coma.

Joy Fecanin, the boy's grandmother, told NBC10's Katy Zachry that O'Neill had to have a blood transfusion after getting pneumonia.

The family of a boy accused of punching Bailey during a school fight says that his son is not responsible for Bailey's death.

“My son is not the monster that everybody is trying to make him out to be,” the father of the accused boy told NBC10’s Katy Zachry in an exclusive interview. NBC 10 is not using the father’s name in order to protect the identity of his son, who is a minor. “I feel sorry, you know. I feel sorry for the young man and I feel sorry for my son because my son’s depicted as a bully,” he said.

Last Sunday, the following message was posted on the Building Hope for Bailey Facebook Page:

I would like to thank everyone who has prayed and supported Bailey and his family!! Bailey has been the strongest toughest boy I know. He has fought this battle long and hard. There just wasn't a way to fix this. I wish I could say he will get better but I can't. Bailey has gone to be with God today :( I love you Jina Risoldi with all my heart and I will help you through this. Bailey I love you!!! Please keep Baileys family in your prayers!!!

While the students who jumped Bailey were suspended for two days, investigators have not revealed whether they will be criminally charged.

“I would like to see these kids punished,” said Fecanin when she spoke to Zachry last month. “Something has to be done. I don’t know what’s taking them so long.”

Southeast Delaware County School District Superintendent Stephen D. Butz says the school sends its condolences to the boy's friends and family. He said addition counselorse were made available for both students and staff.

Delaware County District Attorney Jack Whelan says investigators are trying to determine if the injuries Bailey received in the fight caused his seizures. Investigators interviewed students and recess aides who were on the playground when the fight broke out.

“We can assure them that we are going to continue with our investigation,” said Whelan.

Bailey’s younger brother was taken out of the school because his parents were worried that he'd also be the victim of bullying. 

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