BIRMINGHAM, AL – No parent can prepare themselves for what Eugenia Williams discovered Monday evening in her 9-year-old daughter’s room. Getting ready to go out to eat with her daughter, Williams went to the fourth-grader’s room to find her, and opened the closet door to a horrifying sight.
Williams’ daughter,9-year-old Madison “Maddie” Whitsett, had apparently hanged herself in her closet, according to a report by Alabama Media Group. Maddie was pronounced dead at Children’s Hospital Monday.
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The reasons behind why a fourth grade girl would choose to take her own life are still baffling Maddie’s family, friends and teachers. However, Williams said Maddie had ADHD and received one-on-one help at school. Because of this, reports had been documented that Maddie had been bullied, being called “stupid” and “dumb.” It had happened last year, but Maddie’s parents met with the principal and said it had been taken care of.
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Maddie’s step-father, Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service Lt. Jimmie Williams, said they hope that speaking out about Maddie’s tragic death will spare others the pain they have experienced since Friday.
“We talked to one of her friends and Maddie had apparently had a bad day. The friend said Maddie was bullied and she looked sad while she was being bullied,” Lt. Williams said. “It must have really worn her out that day.”
Lt. Williams also said Maddie just several weeks ago started a medication with a listed side effect of possibly causing suicidal thoughts.
Lt. Williams described his stepdaughter as having a wonderful heart. “She just wanted to be your friend. She wanted to be everybody’s friend and wanted everyone to be happy,” he said. “We saw that in everything she did.”
The family didn’t want to publicly identify the school Maddie was attending. “The school has been very supportive,” Lt. Williams said.
The family of Maddie Whitsett said they want this tragedy to bring awareness to parents to make sure they are checking up on their children, and to make schools – teachers and students alike – aware of the effects of bullying.
Lt. Williams said it’s important for children to know that not only should they not bully others, but if they see someone being bullied, they need to let an adult know. “Like they always say, ‘If you see something, say something.”’
In the same week, a 2-year old in Birmingham died from what is believed to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin commented on both instances.
“There are no words to express the overwhelming grief a community endures when it loses one of its youngest and most vulnerable. This week, we mourn the passing of a 2-year-old boy from Collegeville and a 9-year-old girl from Roebuck,” Woodfin said. “My heart goes out to both families in these tragic cases.”
Woodfin added, “I am heartbroken, and I urge all of you to join me in uplifting these children’s families, friends and their communities. Their deaths come as we approach the holidays, which is when many families and young people gather. Let’s take extra measures to ensure their safety. Our children are our most precious commodities.”
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