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Suicide of Mallory Grossman

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Mallory Rose Grossman was a 12-year-old student at Copeland Middle School who committed suicide on June 14, 2017 due to school bullying and cyberbullying she received. Following her death, Mallory's Law was passed which strengthened school requirements for responding to harassment, intimidation and bullying.[1]

Background

Mallory Grossman had suffered bullying for months by a group of fellow students. One allegedly texted her a picture of herself with the words "you have no friends" and another asked her "when are you going to kill yourself?" in front of other students.[2]

Aftermath

Following Mallory's death, her parents launched a non-profit organization, Mallory's Army Foundation to support bullying prevention.[3] The family also produced the documentary Mallory in 2020.[2][4]

On June 19, 2018, Mallory's parents Dianne and Seth Grossman filed a suit against Rockway Township school district alleging that the school repeatedly ignored complaints that Mallory was being bullied.[1] A $9.1 million settlement was reached on July 28, 2023, the largest bullying settlement in US history.[3][5][6]

Rockway Township superintendent Greg McGann resigned due to controversy surrounding Mallory's death.[7]

Mallory's Law

Mallory's Law was signed into law on 13 January 2022 by Governor Phil Murphy. The law requires that schools officially document instances of bullying and increased fines for parents.[8][9][10]

References

  1. "New Jersey school sued over bullied girl's suicide". BBC News. June 20, 2018. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
  2. Gene Myers. "School pays $9.1 million settlement to family of New Jersey 12-year-old who died by suicide". USA Today. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
  3. Katie Kindelan (July 28, 2023). "Parents whose daughter died by suicide reach $9.1M settlement with school district, lawyer says". ABC News. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
  4. Gene Myers. "Life, death and legacy of Mallory Grossman, 12, focus of documentary". Morristown Daily Record. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
  5. Cellna Tebor (July 31, 2023). "New Jersey school district reaches $9.1 million settlement with family of teen who died by suicide". CNN. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
  6. Bevan Hurley (July 28, 2023). "Family of bullied 12-year-old who died by suicide will get $9.1m settlement from school district". Independent. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
  7. Justin Zaremba (January 10, 2018). "School boss resigns months after 12-year-old's bullying, suicide". NJ.
  8. "Murphy signs anti-bullying bill inspired by Rockaway girl, boosting penalties for parents". Daily Record. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
  9. Beth L. Finkelstein (2022). "Mallory's Law: Amendments to New Jersey's Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights". NJASA. Retrieved June 27, 2026.
  10. Gene Myers. "Murphy signs anti-bullying bill inspired by Rockaway girl, boosting penalties for parents". Daily Record. Retrieved June 27, 2026.