Audrie Pott Suicide: 3 Teens Arrested for Sexual Battery
Audrie Pott, 15, committed suicide after photos of her being sexually assaulted were posted online by her attackers. Now three young men have been arrested on charges of sexual battery, which brings some closure to Pott's family.
"The family has ben trying to understand why their loving daughter would have taken her life at such a young age and to make sure that those responsible would be held accountable. After an extensive investigation that we have conducted on behalf of the family, there is no doubt in our minds that the victim, then only 15 years old, was savagely assaulted by her fellow high school students while she lay on a bed completely unconscious," family attorney Robert Allard told the Associated Press.
Three 16-year-old boys were arrested after doing research and gathering intelligence from Saratoga High School resource officers. The police are still investigating and more charges may be filed. The three have been booked into juvenile hall; they each face one misdemeanor charge as well as two felony charges.
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Pott's parents released their daughter's identity to the press in the hopes of finding those who committed the crime against her and helping others who may have gone through the same thing. They also started the Audrie Pott Foundation to provide scholarships and offer counseling and support for youths.
"She was compassionate about life, her friends, her family, and would never do anything to harm anyone," the Foundation's site says. "She was in the process of developing the ability to cope with the cruelty of this world but had not quite figured it all out. Ultimately, she had not yet acquired the antibiotics to deal with the challenges present for teens in today's society."
Unfortunately, cases of teen suicide after assault are becoming more frequently reported. In Nova Scotia, a young woman took her life after two years of bullying after she was sexually assaulted and photos were passed around to her peers. She passed away just this week.
"It is only fitting that her passing could become a catalyst for change and that the positive and beautiful life she led would continue in her absence to provide a glimmer of hope and love in this world," the foundation said.
