TREVORTON - Police are aware of the accusations of bullying in the death of Britney Tongel and are actively investigating that angle, Sgt. Sean McGinley, commander of the Stonington state police barracks, said Friday.
He said police seized the computer that belonged to the 17-year-old Line Mountain sophomore, who was found dead in her Trevorton home Wednesday morning, reportedly the victim of a suicide.
McGinley said collecting such property is standard procedure with death investigations.
"We often take computers and phones, anything that might help us," he said.
Also, more than a dozen interviews have already been conducted, McGinley said.
Meanwhile, authorities said investigations related to bullying can result in charges, but that the facts of each case must be carefully weighed.
State police and the county coroner's office, which pronounced Tongel dead at 7:05 a.m. Wednesday, have not released her name. However, The News-Item confirmed Britney's name - which was widely used on the Internet - through a member of Tongel's foster family.
Her foster parents, Terry and Lisa Laforme, who live along Route 225 in Trevorton, said they would like to comment but would not do so while the investigation into their daughter's death continues.
Police said in their statement Wednesday that "no foul play" is suspected.
'You can't generalize'
Several accusations - which could not be confirmed, but had been made in a number of Facebook posts - indicate two girls had recently posted messages on a social networking site created by Tongel suggesting she kill herself, "and she did," as one person wrote.
Other posts said the same two girls, who were named online, had been harassing Tongel for weeks, although other posts showed friendly exchanges between one of the girls and Tongel.
Northumberland County District Attorney Tony Rosini said Friday his office has been in contact with state police regarding the investigation.
Otherwise, he said he'd discuss only the generalities of investigating a case of suicide and bullying, but nothing specific to this case because the official cause of death has not been issued, and he doesn't know all the facts gathered thus far.
"Criminal charges are based on what the acts are. You can't generalize; every case is different," he said. "If there are criminal acts, such as harassment or stalking, the police have to first develop a case."
Rosini said there are both positives and negatives to a cyberbullying investigation.
"It's helpful if we have a record of the items posted online, but you have to prove who the person is," he said. "The police should be able to obtain the information and determine what the situation is."
McGinley said they will determine if any criminal violations have been committed and then review the case with Rosini, who will decide if any charges should be filed.
"You have to remember a person wouldn't be charged with bullying," said McGinley. "They have to have violated a law to a point where it merits criminal prosecution. We will follow through with that (should it be determined)," he said.
Regardless, Rosini said no one should rush to judgement.
"When we do (have all the information), the authorities and police are in a better position to determine what happened and why, and to address those issues in an appropriate manner, whether that's through the justice system or the school," he said.
Cyberbullying on trial
The first cyberbullying case brought to trial took place in 2008 involving Lori Drew, a Missouri mother whose fake Myspace profile is believed to have led to the suicide of Megan Meier, 13. Drew was convicted of computer fraud in November 2008, but a federal judge threw out the convictions less than a year later.
Last year, in a case that made national headlines, six teens whose bullying reportedly led to the suicide of Phoebe Prince, 15, were charged with various offenses, including civil rights violations resulting in bodily harm, stalking or statutory rape. The case has yet to go to trial.
In the case of Brandon Bitner, 14, of Mount Pleasant Mills, no charges have been filed. Three months ago, Bitner, a student at Middleburg High School, took his own life after leaving a note saying that relentless bullying led to his suicide.
Update from schools
Tongel moved into the Line Mountain School District late last school year, school officials said. She previously lived in the Berwick area.
Berwick Area Superintendent Wayne Brookhart confirmed Friday that she had ties to the community and that counseling plans were put in place this week for students who knew her. He offered no further comment.
Line Mountain Superintendent Dave Campbell said Friday some students were no longer grieving outwardly, but he believes that may be a sign of exhaustion from an emotional three days.
"We will continue to watch them," he said. "The routine was pretty normal today. We just want to make sure we're there for the kids."
Campbell said no new procedures have been put in place as a result of Tongel's death, and no specific students were addressed. But the district will continue with its anti-bullying programs, including an upcoming assembly.
"We're going to re-evaluate over the weekend and have a meeting Monday morning. We'll go from there," he said.
Father claims problem
Campbell also addressed an anonymous phone call made to The News-Item Friday in which a man, who said he was the father of a Line Mountain High School student, said he had approached Principal Jeffrey Roadcap two months ago about his daughter and Tongel being bullied. He was told the situation would be addressed.
"Now, two months later, one of those girls is dead," the man said.
He suggested bullying may be more significant than the school is acknowledging.
"There is a problem there and I don't want it to affect more children," he said.
He said he preferred to remain anonymous because he doesn't want his daughter to be "the next target."
Campbell scoffed at the comments. Asked if he wanted to address the alleged complaint he said, "Absolutely not."
He said he would not give merit to an anonymous caller, suggesting it could have been someone with a vendetta or a student who was disciplined by Roadcap.
"Perception is reality for people. Some people will view this in any way," he said.
Roadcap could not be reached for comment.
Campbell had said for a story Thursday that there was no indication to faculty of a problem with bullying at Line Mountain. He noted the prevalence of cyberbullying, much of which can take place outside of school, and the need to educate parents about it.
It has also been noted that with Tongel having recently moved into the district, the alleged bullying could have been from those not associated with Line Mountain.
A post Tongel had made on her Myspace page said her life "revolves around texting, cheerleading, friends, boys, food and music. I listen to every type of music."