A 15-year-old girl from Dongan Hills in Staten Island died Monday after she was struck by a bus on December 27.
Amanda Cummings, a sophomore at New Dorp High School, was holding a suicide note and a witness reported seeing her jump in front of a bus near Hylan Boulevard by Hunter Avenue, according to the NYPD. Her uncle, Kenneth Cummings, told the Staten Island Advance that she had been bullied by other female students in the months leading up to her death.
Her Facebook profile is flooded with messages of support and grief from her friends and family members, who describe Cummings as an outgoing, talented girl.
“Ive been reading some disturbing things on here about how Amanda was bullied for those who truley loved her this isnt towards you for the girls that bullied her you should be ashamed of yourselves,” wrote Amanda’s aunt, Diane Manfredi Cummings. “Does it make you tough to bully other girls? Does it make you smarter or better ? maybe you should think upon your actions and the impac it has on other people and how actions and words hurt (sic).”
Another Facebook user registered as Marianna Macaroni wrote, “What some people write on your wall is so disrespectful baby .. dnt pay any mind to them (sic).”
A memorial blog features photos and stories about the teen. It is set up to accept donations for the cost of her funeral, which is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Friday at St. Ann’s Church in Dongan Hills.
