Memorial remembers HSE bullying victim

FISHERS, Ind. (WISH) - A Hamilton Southeastern student who took his own life after he was allegedly bullied was remembered Monday night.

Hundreds of friends and family gathered inside Eastern Star Church to remember 14-year-old Jamarcus Bell.

24-Hour News 8 talked to a parent and several HSE students about the bullying issue. They told us they hope Marcus Bell’s death sends a strong message that bullying is a serious problem and the issue needs to be taken seriously.

Bell was a freshman at Hamilton Southeastern High School. Tuesday night he took his own life after his family and friends said he was repeatedly bullied.

"You wouldn’t think that Jamarcus would be going through anything because the way he acted,” said HSE Student Nicole Brown.

Jennifer Bryant traveled from Fort Wayne to attend Bell’s funeral. Bryant told her sons why Marcus took his life over the weekend.

"I also gave my boys the speech that about how it is so important not to pick on kids because you don’t know what the next person is going through,” Bryant said. “I also explained to them if they did see someone that was being picked on, they need to step up and be the protector; they need a put a stop to it go tell the adult or whoever.”

Michael Bryant is in the eighth grade.

"I’ve seen it a couple of times where I live,” Michael said. “I think that there needs to be more consequences for bullying.”

24-Hour News 8 Reporter Phil Sanchez talked to Bell’s parents last week. Bell’s mother told Phil that Jamarcus had been bullied since they moved to the school district 3 years ago. Natalie Moore said Bell tried to commit suicide in school before and officials did nothing about it. Students said they’re not surprised by the bullying accusations.

"Hamilton Southeastern is just one of many high schools that has that problem and unfortunately Jamarcus was a victim of this," said HSE student Caroline McKinney.

"I’ve seen people talk cruel to people; you just walk down the hall and people make rude remarks," said HSE Student Natalie Brown.

"I think Jamarcus used his humor as a coping mechanism for what he went through," Nicole Brown said.

After the funeral services were over, Bell's family and a few friends released balloons in his honor.

I-Team 8 first exposed the bully issue back in 2004. State Senator Tom Wyss saw 24-Hour News 8’s investigation, "Bullied: Silent Tears," and drafted the new law requiring schools have an anti-bully policy.

Since then, I-Team 8 has uncovered too many schools don’t follow the state law, don't take bullying seriously and don't have a policy.

Wyss said he has similar concerns. He plans to meet with Indiana Department of Education officials on Tuesday about the issue.