Police are investigating after 11-year-old kills herself in Grants

Friend says student made repeated reports about being bullied

GRANTS — Authorities are investigating after an 11-yearold girl killed herself after allegedly being bullied.

Delia Watson’s family and friends, who gathered Wednesday night for a vigil, said they believe the suicide was preventable. She died last week on Friday.

Watson reported the bullying to officials at Mount Taylor Elementary School in Grants, said Watson’s friend, Malaya Martinez.

“Me and Delia reached out to many staff members of our school many different times about the bullying but Delia’s voice was never heard,” she said.

Grants-Cibola County Schools released a statement Tuesday addressing the “unexpected death” of Watson.

“We are heartbroken over the death of one of our students. Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers go out to the family and friends as well as the entire community,” according to the statement.

Community health representatives and school counselors are available to anyone “who wishes to talk about the student’s death.”

Martinez said she will speak up for her best friend and will continue talking until someone listens.

“I’m Delia’s voice and I’m reaching out to the community for help,” Martinez said. “Big, small, tall, has no hair, has hair, has a lot of hair, doesn’t matter, they are still human beings. It’s not right.”

A spokesman for the Grants Police Department confirmed the agency is investigating the death, but could not elaborate on details citing an ongoing investigation.

Police said they are investigating social media messages that were sent to Watson.