The superintendent of a school district accused of failing to take harassment allegations seriously after a teenage girl shot herself in front of a police officer is calling her death a “tragic loss.”
Jaylee Chillson, 14, left her parents’ home to attend the rally in a field in Aurora, Kansas, after being told she wasn’t allowed to go.
Her father, Jeb, tried to track down the teen and held her in his arms after she pulled the trigger, telling DailyMail.com he performed CPR on her for several minutes.
The teen’s family says she was bullied since she was 12 and moved to another school in the Clay County school district, but no teachers took the problems seriously.
In a statement to DailyMail.com, Chief Inspector Brett Nelson said they were “providing support” to Jaylee’s family, but did not deny the bullying allegations.
Jaylee Chillson, 14, left her parents’ home to attend the rally in a field in Aurora, Kansas, after being told she wasn’t allowed to go
The teen’s family says she was bullied since she was 12 and moved to another school in the Clay County School District, but no teachers took the problems seriously. Pictured: Chief Inspector Brett Nelson
“Jaylee was a student in our school district from August 2014 to March 2023, and I was deeply saddened to learn of her passing,” the superintendent said.
“Over the past week, our school district has focused on supporting those most impacted by this tragic loss. This includes reaching out and offering support to Jaylee’s family, as well as working closely with the families of our students and district employees during this difficult time.
“Finally, we remind our students to tell a trusted adult if they are struggling or know someone who may need help.
“Our guidance team is available to students at every school, and our staff team knows how to connect students with highly trained, caring professionals who can help them navigate the challenges of school and life in a safe and healthy way.”
Jaylee’s family previously alleged the teen was targeted by teenage girls at Clay County Middle and High School before being moved to nearby Wakefield.
They say she had rubber cement rubbed into her hair and often came home with “bruises on her arms.”
Her parents say “something needs to change,” and that the entire district needs a “regime” change.
Jeb told DailyMail.com that a boy ‘sexually harassed’ his daughter by grabbing her crotch and stealing her birthday money and AirPods in a separate incident.
Her family says nothing will ever make the pain go away, and Jeb adds he fought for more than 15 minutes to save his daughter.
Jaylee’s family previously alleged the teen was targeted by teenage girls at Clay County Middle and High School before being moved to nearby Wakefield.
Her father Jeb tried to track her down and called authorities to assist in the search when he realized where she was
Teachers reportedly did nothing about both incidents, despite her family contacting the school several times.
‘Nobody did anything to my daughter. The kids got away with so much stuff,” he added.
“So many of them promised to do something, but they never did. They just didn’t do anything, they abandoned her.
“The only reason I’m telling this story at all is because something needs to change, and quickly.
“I live in a town of 10,000 people and a lot of them contact me with the exact same story and say they’re afraid it will end exactly the same way for their child.”
Her family said she went to therapy to help, adding that both she and her therapist were shocked by the tragic incident.
Her mother Stacie added, “She deserved everything she could have ever wanted in this world. We love you with all our heart and soul, our sweet girl. We love you more than anything.
“The world has lost one of its brightest lights. This girl has the biggest heart of anyone I know, and she has had it since she was just a little girl.
It is unclear how the teen got his hands on the gun. Police launched an investigation into her death after the incident
They have set up a GoFundMe to raise money for the teen’s funeral, which has so far raised $4,000 of a $20,000 goal
They say she was bullied mercilessly for years while the Clay County School District did nothing about it despite their numerous concerns.
‘I’m angry at those who hurt my baby. I am furious at those I KNOW hurt her and will now talk about her as if they had no role in crushing her.
“I noticed she wasn’t among the girls on her sports teams. I saw adults at the school level repeatedly abandon her.”
Her father, a former EMT, recalled hearing a gunshot after a Cloud County sheriff’s deputy tracked down Jaylee.
“They told me not to go in there, but I said it was an EMT, I can help,” he told DailyMail.com. ‘As I got closer they told me a girl had been shot, so I ran off.
‘I see my daughter lying on the floor, held up by one of the partygoers. As I approach the deputy, he tells me she pulled out the gun and shot herself as he walked toward her.
‘I told them we had to call a helicopter and an ambulance. We put pressure on her, and when the paramedics arrived, they had already made a decision about her.”
It is unclear how the teen got his hands on the gun. Police launched an investigation into her death after the incident.
Her family says nothing will ever “make the pain go away,” and Jeb adds that he fought for more than 15 minutes to save his daughter.
Jaylee is described by her family as a “bubbly” and “happy” girl who was the “best big sister”, adding that her death came as a shock to them.
Jaylee is described by her family as a “bubbly” and “happy” girl who was the “best big sister”, adding that her death came as a shock to them.
Her mother Stacie added, “She deserved everything she could have ever wanted in this world
Police confirmed they were called by Jaylee’s family to help find her, although her relatives deny she was a ‘runaway’
They set one up GoFundMe to raise money for the teen’s funeral, which has so far raised $4,000 of a $20,000 goal.
Police confirmed they were called by Jaylee’s family to help find her, although her relatives deny she was a “runaway.”
In a statement, the Cloud County Sheriff’s Office said, “On Saturday, September 16 at approximately 11:25 p.m., a resident of Clay Center called the Cloud County Sheriff’s Office requesting assistance in locating a family member who was a 14-year-old female.
“It was believed the girl had run away and was about to attend a party near Aurora, Kansas.
“A deputy responded to the outdoor party attended by college and high school students, which took place near 210th Road and Lark Road in Aurora.
“The deputy located the girl and attempted to convince her to return to her family. He was escorting her to his patrol vehicle when she pulled out a firearm and shot herself. The deputy did not draw his firearm.
“A sheriff’s deputy and an off-duty principal attempted life-saving measures, but the girl was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after midnight.
“The Cloud County Sheriff’s Office requested the KBI’s assistance in conducting the death investigation to ensure impartiality as their deputy was present during the shooting.
‘Several partygoers witnessed the incident and offered interviews. The investigation is ongoing.”