200 gather to remember teen who committed suicide
August 5, 2013 by KCCI
Mother pleads for end to bullying
PLEASANT HILL, Iowa —The week was tough for the community surrounding Southeast Polk High School after 16-year-old AJ Betts took his own life.
AJ’s mother, Sheryl Moore, and several of his friends said he was teased and bullied for being gay, half black and having a cleft lip.
RELATED: Mom speaks out after teen commits suicide
On Friday, 200 people gathered to remember AJ and listen to a message from his grieving mother.
“Nobody deserves to lose a life, but I’m sorry, my son did not deserve to be in the position that he is (in),” Moore said. “Of all people on this earth, AJ didn’t deserve it. So please, will you guys promise me you’ll stand up and say something if you see someone bullying?”
Moore said she will dedicate herself to trying to stop bullying in schools
