Cyber-bullied daughter, 14, found dead at home was 'let down'

The mother of a schoolgirl who died after a cyber-bullying campaign claims her daughter was 'let down at every opportunity' by her school, an inquest heard.

Teenager Megan Evans, 14, was found dead at her home after allegedly being targeted on social media with an 'I hate Megan Evans' campaign.

Her mother Nicola Harteveld said Megan was 'persecuted' at her comprehensive school and teachers were 'chipping away at her.'

An inquest heard Megan was having 'outbursts' in class in the weeks leading up to her death in 2017 - but Nicola was never made aware of the problem by the school.

She said it was 'completely out of character' for Megan, who was 'such a studious and well-behaved girl.'

'They knew her behaviour was out of character, it was getting worse, she was verbally abusive to staff,' said Nicola.

'They must have known that something was wrong.'

She said that the school would call her almost daily about Megan's incorrect uniform, but was never informed about bad behaviour in school.

The school did not approve of Megan's trousers - but Nicola said that they were from the Next school uniform range and worn by other pupils.

'At every opportunity teachers took the opportunity to go on at her all the time. They were chipping away at her,' she said.

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The family claim that before Megan died she had a special dispensation to have lunch at home, but was 'grabbed' by a teacher who 'forced her back in school.'

An investigation by the police found the allegations unproved, but CCTV footage of the incident was lost.

Mother-of-eight Nicola said the allegations were not investigated by Milford Haven Comprehensive school in Pembrokeshire. 

She said Megan's 'trust in school went out the window.'

The inquest heard that Megan had messaged a friend to say she had punched a toilet wall in the school so hard that the school first aider advised that she went to A&E - but her parents were not told.

Megan was also issued a time out card for her behaviour, but the parents were not made aware of this either.

Another incident was when the teenager was not able to attend a school trip at end of January 2017 because of paperwork issues - and even when it had been resolved she still was not able to go, the inquest heard.

Nicola said Megan spent the rest of that week off school with symptoms of anxiety.

'She didn't like the way the school was treating her,' she said.

'At every opportunity she was belittled by people that she was supposed to have trust in and that were there to make her feel safe and cared for.

'She was let down at every possible opportunity.'

The inquest heard that Megan was told to 'kill herself' on social media - and hate groups had been made before they were reported to the school and taken down.

The hearing was told the 'I hate Megan Evans' group had been created.

Her heartbroken mother found more groups after logging into Megan's Snapchat and Facebook accounts after her death.

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But she said that when her friends were questioned at the time if Megan was being bullied 'all of them said no'.

The inquest heard that Megan had attended a school meeting on February 7, 2017, about a trip to France and appeared in good spirits.

Later that evening, her parents left the family home in Milford Haven for a night in Cardiff with her four youngest siblings.

But the four older siblings - including Megan - stayed at home.

At around 10pm her brother rang their parents after he was unable to find her in the house. He kept searching and found Megan locked in an upstairs bathroom.

Despite the efforts of her family, paramedics, and hospital staff, Megan could not be saved.

Grieving Nicola told police she had 'no idea why Megan would do this.'

A statement from her family described Megan as an intelligent, kind, and vibrant teenager.

'She had a big heart and would do anything to help anyone,' the family statement read.

'She bought love and laughter into our home and was always full of energy. Her friends adored her, and she always stood up for what she believed in.'

Malcolm Duthie, representing the education authority at Pembrokeshire Council, said when friends were asked if they believed Megan was being bullied 'all of them said no.'

He said she may have been upset by an argument with another pupil and concern for her father's health.

Mr Duthie added it would be hard for the school to get any evidence of bullying as most of it took place on Snapchat - where messages disappear after 24 hours.

Megan was described as a talented artist and hockey player who had been looking forward to attending a Justin Bieber concert.

In the years following Megan's tragic death, Nicola has worked to raise awareness of mental health and the dangers of social media bullying.

She has since founded Megan's Starr Foundation which provides free counseling and peer support to young people in Pembrokeshire.

The inquest in Haverfordwest continues.

For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit https://www.thecalmzone.net/get-support