Fifth-grader RaNiya Wright passed away on March 27 following a fight at her South Carolina elementary school that took place on Monday, March 25.
As Dearly previously reported, the 10-year-old was airlifted to the Medical University of South Carolina from Forest Hills Elementary School.
She was unconscious after being severely injured during the reported brawl.
The other child involved in the fight was allegedly suspended indefinitely.
A statement issued on behalf of superintendent Dr. Franklin Foster following Wright’s passing read, in part:
“Raniya was a wonderful student. She loved to write, spend time with her friends, play basketball and loved being a big sister. She was actively involved in her church as a junior usher. She will be missed greatly by her family, friends, and the entire school community.”
Now, RaNiya’s mother is speaking out two weeks after her daughter’s unexpected passing.
Ashley Wright told “Good Morning America” about the last night of her daughter’s life:
“I had to sleep by my baby the night before she passed. And that was the hardest thing I ever had to do in my life.”
According to Ashley, Raniya told her about the bullying that was going on at her elementary school and Ashley, in turn, notified the school.
She told GMA that RaNiya’s school “failed” her:
“I’m very upset with the school system, starting out, only because of the fact that I’ve been complaining about the person that she fought numerous times to them. That’s what really breaks me down and makes me question to myself why nothing was never done up until now with this happening.
I’m thinking they got it handled, and they failed me.”
While specific details regarding RaNiya’s injuries haven’t been released, investigators say no weapons were used during the fight.
According to ABC News, the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office intends on releasing more information after its investigation is complete.
Ashley told “GMA” that her mother, RaNiya’s grandmother, is often the one who saw her daughter off to school because Ashley is normally working during that time.
The grandmother told Ashley that the 10-year-old had been asking to stay home from school more often recently. She believes because of the bullying:
“My momma said that she did not want to go to school. She told me later on that day when I was on lunch before the school called, that she didn’t want to go to school. And the last couple of weeks she’s been feeling like that.
When I sayYou got a half a day tomorrow.’ She’ll be likeYes, can I just stay home?’ She did not want to go to school these last couple of weeks. … I felt like the situation at school was getting worse.”
In talking about the other student involved in the fight that reportedly claimed RaNiya’s life, Ashley said:
“I’ve been having problems with her since fourth grade. I can’t speak about third, because I’m not sure, but I’ve been hearing her name before she got in the fifth grade.”
Ashley admitted that she is focusing her frustrations toward the school because the school was supposed to protect her while she was no longer in her mother’s care.
She said after talking with her daughter’s teacher about the bullying, the teacher never reached out to RaNiya to help.
Mother of fifth grader killed in classroom breaks her silence. Zachary Kiesch has more on what she thinks happened and her message for the school. https://gma.abc/2Kl0BwD
Posted by Good Morning America on Monday, April 8, 2019