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Associated Press - October 30, 2009 3:04 PM ET
ANNISTON, Ala. (AP) - Officials in Anniston are trying to determine whether bullying led to the death of a 12-year-old boy who took his own life.
Relatives of Tre'Juan Figures say the Anniston Middle School student had become a target for bullies and others who were trying to force him to join a gang. They believe months of harassment led to his suicide by hanging on Tuesday.
Anniston's school superintendent, Joan Frazier, said administrators didn't know of any habitual problem involving bullying or gang recruitment.
Calhoun County Coroner Pat Brown says the boy's relatives told authorities he was a victim of persistent bullying. Brown ruled the death a suicide, but he says it's hard to say what might have prompted it.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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