12-Year-Old Boy Died After Alleged Bullying Over $1 At School

The NYPD is investigating the mysterious death of a 12-year-old boy in Brooklyn, who was allegedly punched to death over a deadly dare. Romy Vilsaint complained of a splitting headache on Friday, and was rushed to Kings County Hospital by emergency responders, where he breathed his last. Vilsaint had missed school on that day, as was resting at his residence.

“He had a severe headache. He started vomiting. My mom [Romy’s aunt] found the vomit in the bucket and gave him a shower,” said Vilsaint's cousin, Roodwiny Exantus, as reported by New York Daily News. He further added, “She said he couldn’t walk.”

Despite Vilsaint having shown no signs of trauma, police officials confirmed on Saturday that the young boy was subjected to habitual bullying at Public School 361 in East Flatbush. Exantus averred that two different attacks happened at the school on the same day.

As per credible sources, the tragic incident was a result of a deadly deal—where a boy was allegedly dared to punch Vilsaint in the back of the head for a meager sum of $1. The incident opened the lid on bullying that is rampant among pre-teens and is said to bear serious repercussions to one’s mental health and self-esteem.

While a further probe is underway, the Department of Education released a statement Saturday expressing their condolences and calling the boy's death a “tragedy.” Spokesperson Nathaniel Styer said, “The safety of our young people is our absolute priority and this incident will be thoroughly investigated, and we are providing supports to both the family and school community.”

Exantus enthused that the news of Vilsaint’s passing has left the family devasted. “We’re devastated. He was only 12 years old,” Exantus said. “He was always predicting what was going to happen next. He was a great kid. He wanted to be an actor or a basketball player,” he added.

Vilsaint had moved to Brooklyn from Haiti in the year 2017. He was the son of a construction worker and had three other siblings. His mother and sisters stayed back in the Caribbean, while the father and son moved to the bigger city in search of better prospects.

No arrests have been made so far as the police are yet to gather more details. A medical examiner has been roped in to investigate the real cause of the death.