A nine-year-old girl in the US has reportedly died by suicide after being targeted by racist bullies at school.
McKenzie Adams, a fourth grader in Linden, Alabama, was found dead in the home she lived in with her grandmother on December 3, according to US outlet ABC News.
Grandmother Janice Adams told ABC News, "instead of shopping for Christmas, we're picking out caskets for my nine-year-old".
"She was a real sweet girl. [She] wanted to be a scientist," Ms Adams said.
McKenzie Adams died last week. Source: Provided by family to Tuscaloosa News
McKenzie's mother, Jasmine Adams, told local station CBS 42 her daughter had been the victim of persistent bullying at Jones Elementary School, which was sometimes racially-motivated.
"She told me that this one particular child was writing her nasty notes in class. It was just things you wouldn't think a nine-year-old should know," Ms Adams said.
"Part of it could have been because she rode to school with a white family. Some of the student bullies would say to her 'why you riding with white people? You're black, you're ugly'."
No reports of bullying
A statement from Demopolis City Schools System said it had not received reports of bullying.
"We have concluded our internal investigation to the allegations of bullying which led to this senseless death. There have been no findings of any reports of bullying by either the student or family."
Police are continuing to investigate the death.
A memorial service for McKenzie will be held at her school on Friday.
"This is the second suicide involving a nine-year-old child in Alabama in as many months. Madison Whitsett died by suicide in Birmingham this past November," CBS 42 said.
Last month, a report found bullying is rife in Australian primary schools and it "severely affects" the learning of young students.
The report by the Murdoch Children's Research Institute's (MCRI) Centre for Adolescent Health said around half of students in Years 3 to 5 report some level of bullying and more than 20 per cent are being bullied across two or even three years.
Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 and Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 (for young people aged 5 to 25). More information about mental health is available at Beyond Blue.
