Alleged Newburyport cyberbullying victim talks to FOX25

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An alleged victim of cyberbullying in Newburyport is talking to FOX25 after three teens suspected of bullying him are facing identity theft charges.

“It was mostly just stuff, I guess, just making fun of other kids,” said the 14-year-old boy.

The victim is in his freshman year at Newburyport High School, and he says he was targeted by a group of teens who thought he was an outcast and thought it would be fun to pick on him.

“It’s been a little bit difficult, I suppose, because some kids are making fun of me,” he said.

The boy’s mother, Josie Klapec, tells us that a group of teenagers created a phony Facebook account using her 14-year-old son's personal information, including his picture.

On the page, Klapec says they wrote cruel and obscene messages which circulated at Newburyport High.

Klapec tells FOX25 that her son doesn't even have a Facebook page, and was so upset that she called police.

She says she has gotten numerous calls from parents with similar stories after our report aired on Wednesday.

“They took the time to call me, and that’s amazing. I just think it’s amazing, and like I sai,d it's a little bit sad that kids are going through this,” she said.

This case comes on the heels of an incident in South Hadley were two girls were suspended for bullying 15-year-old Phoebe Prince, who ended up taking her own life.

That bullying was done through texting and social networking sites.
“It would just be heartbreaking if that would happen again. It just had to stop,” said Klapec.

The three teens accused in Newburyport will appear in juvenile court next week. One of them is from Newburyport High School, the other is in middle school and the other goes to a private school.
Police said two of the three are cooperating.