Rebecca Sedwick took her life in September 2013 and her family and authorities said she had been the victim of online bullying . A month later , the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline said she died after 'malicious harassment ' from Katelyn Roman , 12 , and Guadalupe Shaw , 13 . But the charges were dropped as they found no evidence of messages . Now the youngest girl 's family has filed a lawsuit accusing the sheriff and a deputy of using Rebecca 's death as an 'opportunity for media attention ' The sheriff 's office said the claims have 'no merit '
Rebecca Sedwick took her life in September 2013 and her family and authorities said she had been the victim of online bullying . A month later , the Polk County Sheriff 's Office said she died after 'malicious harassment ' from Katelyn Roman , 12 , and Guadalupe Shaw , 13 . But the charges were dropped as they found no evidence of messages . Now the youngest girl 's family has filed a lawsuit accusing the sheriff and a deputy of using Rebecca 's death as an 'opportunity for media attention ' The sheriff 's office said the claims have 'no merit '