Sheriff investigates bullying at school

RIDGE FARM, Ill., Nov. 17 (UPI) -- Investigators say they're trying to determine if the apparent suicide of a 10-year-old Ridge Farm, Ill., girl is the result of bullying.

Ashlyn Conner's body was found hanging in her closet last Friday. The fifth-grade honor roll student had came home from Ridge Farm Elementary School that afternoon and told her mother she wanted to be home schooled. Her funeral Wednesday was attended by many of her classmates, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Family members say the girl had been bullied by schoolmates and neighborhood children for years. The child's family attended a special school board meeting Monday and claimed teachers told Conner she was being a "tattle-tale" when she complained about being bullied.

Vermilion County Coroner Peggy Johnson said the child died of strangulation but couldn't rule it a suicide until a sheriff's investigation is completed.

Vermilion County Sheriff Patrick Hartshorn told the Danville Commercial-News his office is investigating the family's allegations of bullying.

"We haven't uncovered anything so severe that it would result in someone taking their own life," he said in an interview published Monday.