Teen Dies After Group Of Girls Attack Her (Photos)

Authorities said a teenage girl in Delaware died after a group of girls attacked her.

“I thought schools were a safe place,” said a heartbroken Sonny Francis, the victim’s father, the Daily Mail reports. “I think this is a dream and I’m trying to wake up. All I know is my daughter is gone. She was the love of my life and it hurts.”

Amy Joyner-Francis, 16, was assaulted in the Howard High School of Technology’s school bathroom by three girls on April 22.

“She was fighting a girl, and then that’s when all these other girls started banking her — like jumping her — and she hit her head on the sink,” said Kaya Wilson, who was in the stalls at the Wilmington high school and witnessed the attack.

After beating her up, they also reportedly ripped out Joyner-Francis’ fingernails, police said on Aug. 8.

The assault triggered a worsening of the teenager’s pre-existing heart condition.  

“The cardiac incident would not have occurred if she had not been assaulted,” said an individual with the state’s Department of Justice.

Before long, Joyner-Francis was flown to a specialist children’s hospital, where she remained in critical condition before she died.

A 16-year-old was allegedly responsible for hitting the girl directly, but officials say all three of the girls planned the confrontation together.

A court is now determining whether or not to try the leader of the group as an adult. The two other girls will be tried as juveniles and could face up to one year in jail.

All three have been suspended from the school.

“Now they know they’re in very serious trouble and could spend a substantial amount of time in prison,” said a somber Wilmington Mayor Dennis Williams, who added his heart bleeds for the family.

At school, many mourned her death, The News-Journal reports. Many described the girl as calm, studious and kind.

“If I were to have kids I’d want them to hang around someone like her,” said Troy Johnson, who added she was like a mentor.

One student recalls the girl protecting him from a fight.

“She wasn’t worried about herself,” he recalls as she pulled him away from a fight. “She was worried about me not fighting,” Nik Stryminski said. “She didn’t believe in fighting, and the craziest thing is she died in a fight.”

Sources: Daily Mail, The News Journal / Photo credit: The News Journal