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The teenager whose alleged sexual assault in Maryville, Mo., received national attention has been hospitalized following a suicide attempt Sunday night.
Daisy Coleman was initially treated at an area hospital and transferred to a Kansas City psychiatric facility, according to Robin Bourland, a family friend and mother of Paige Parkhurst, who also is tied to the case.
She said she couldn’t speak to what specifically led Daisy to attempt suicide. As of Tuesday, she said Daisy was in stable condition.
Ms. Bourland said the incident has been difficult for the Coleman family.
“It’s heartbreaking for their family,” she said. “They’re doing the best they can ... we’re all just doing the best we know how to do.”
Daisy’s story went viral in October when she and her mother, Melinda, spoke publicly about their case.
The Colemans say that in January 2012, Daisy, then 14, was sexually assaulted by a 17-year-old while intoxicated.
Nodaway County Prosecuting Attorney Robert Rice initially filed charges against the 17-year-old and another teen, also 17, who allegedly videotaped the assault, but later dropped the charges.
Ms. Coleman has said that bullying from others in Maryville led them to leave town, moving to Albany, Mo.
Ms. Bourland, who also lives in Albany, said the town is still supportive of the teens, but there have been instances of bullying there, too.
“It’s starting to get bad in Albany,” she said. “It wasn’t initially, and there’s still a lot of supportive people in Albany. There are a handful of people who want their own 15 minutes of fame who want to weigh in. Unfortunately, those people have a bigger voice than the supporters.”
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