Internet suicide case leads to extreme consequences

The Associated Press

ST. LOUIS -- While there will be no criminal charges in the case of a 13-year-old girl who killed herself after receiving cruel messages on the Internet, there have certainly been heavy consequences.

St. Charles County prosecutor Jack Banas said Monday he could not find statutes allowing him to charge anyone in the case, weeks after federal authorities came to the same conclusion.

But Megan Meier's death has changed the lives of those involved.

After the death of their daughter, Megan's parents separated and plan to divorce.

Megan's relatives, still mourning their loss, are working to strengthen laws related to Internet harassment and better protect children on social networking sites.

Online users have expressed outrage against those involved in sending mean messages to the child, identifying many of those involved and calling for action against them.

An 18-year-old who took part in an online hoax against Megan is hospitalized and receiving psychiatric treatment, Banas said. There have been reports of vandalism in the Meiers' neighborhood in the year since details of Megan's death have come out, and police stepped up patrols in recent weeks.

Megan's parents say the Dardenne Prairie girl hanged herself on Oct. 16, 2006, after she became distraught over mean messages received through the social networking site MySpace. Megan died the next day, and weeks later her family learned that a boy she had been communicating with online did not actually exist.

A police report said that a mother from the neighborhood and her then-18-year-old employee fabricated a profile for a teenage boy online who pretended to be interested in Megan before he began bullying her. The police report indicates others gained access to the profile, though those involved dispute who thought up the idea for the site and were present when messages were sent.

"I think people are upset that a parent got involved in something so childish, and that a young girl committed suicide," Banas said in a telephone interview. But, he said, people cannot take the law into their own hands.

Tina Meier acknowledged that she and her husband destroyed a foosball table they were storing for the family that was behind the online hoax, shortly after learning of the fake Internet profile.

Law officers also responded after a false report last month that a man had been shot at the neighbor's home, a completely made-up call. That family has reported its home was hit by paintballs and a brick through a window.

"We live by the rule of law here, not by the rule of man," Banas said, calling for the vigilante-like response to end. "We're not allowed to take the law into our own hands."

Banas said he reviewed laws related to stalking, harassment and child endangerment before making his announcement.

Banas said harassment and stalking laws both require proof that communication was made to frighten, disturb or harass someone. In this case, he said, the fictitious MySpace profile was created not to bully Megan, but to find out what she was saying about the neighborhood mother's then-13-year-old daughter, a former friend.

"There are a few statements at the end that are a heated argument," he said. "That's why you have a hard time making a harassment case."

The messages to Megan turned mean the night before her suicide, and then a few other MySpace users joined in on the day she hanged herself. They taunted the girl with postings saying things like the girl was fat and a slut, Megan's family has said.

One of the last postings said the world would be better off without her.

The family whose members created the site have previously declined to comment and did not answer phone calls on Monday.

Banas said he was unable to speak directly with the former employee, who has been hospitalized for psychiatric treatment. He said it's his understanding that the 13-year-old former friend of Megan's is now being home-schooled.

Megan's family has been seeking legal changes since it became clear in recent weeks that it was unlikely anyone would be charged. Two Missouri communities, including Megan's hometown, have changed local laws to make Internet harassment a crime, and several others are considering measures. Changes are also being proposed to state law.

Tina Meier said the bottom line for her was that the other mother knew about the fake profile, knew Megan was on medication, and let the hoax continue. She said the fake profile was deleted right after Megan's death. Then, she said, the woman didn't come clean.

Megan was being treated for attention deficit disorder and depression, her family has said.

"Our daughter died, committed suicide, and she still didn't say a word," Meier said. "I still feel what she did is absolutely criminal."

Meier previously has acknowledged that Megan was too young to have a MySpace account under the Web site's guidelines. But Tina Meier has explained that she was able to closely monitor the account. Meier's family has also acknowledged that Megan was also sending mean messages before her death.

Tina Meier said those involved will have to live with the choices they made, and said perhaps one day the 18-year-old will be able to educate people against cyberbullying.

"I really hope she gets the help she needs, and I don't think she meant for this to happen to Megan," she said.

Of Megan's former friend, she said: "I certainly don't wish her any harm. Unfortunately, she doesn't get to pick her parents."