Local mother speaks out against bullying at schools

An El Paso mother is speaking out against the bullying she sees in local schools, hoping no parent will have to live through her nightmare.

Memorial Day 2010 was one of the darkest days in Lisa Williams’s life. Her family was putting together a barbecue with the neighbors in the back yard when her 16-year-old son Christian approached her and gave her a hug.

"He said, 'Mom, I love you. You know that, right?'" Williams said. "He then went and spent time with each of his siblings.

Those were some of the last words Williams heard from Christian. Hours later his closest friends would find the teen hanging in his own closet after committing suicide.

Christian had told his mother about a fellow student "getting to him" two weeks previous to his death, but after losing her son she discovered the bullying had started when the military family was first transferred to Virginia from Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas.

Williams said she notified the school about the student when her son first told her about the bullying, but she said the district didn't do anything to stop it.

"That was completely unacceptable. This kind of behavior does not belong in schools," said Williams. "How many of our kids are going to have to die?"

After her son's death, the military moved the family to Fort Bliss. Now Williams is reaching out to any parent or student who may have problems with bullying. Her nonprofit organization, the Christian Taylor Foundation, serves as a place where victims of bullying can vent their frustrations and talk about any pain instead of ending a life.

"I would do anything for any parent and any child in this area. I will travel to Las Cruces if I have to," Williams said. "No parent should have to deal with this pain or bury their child."

William's other children attend school in the Canutillo Independent School District which has been nationally recognized for its anti-bullying campaign "No Place for Hate," which includes regular talks with students about the dangers of bullying.

"I think we're making some real efforts and real gains in the area of anti-bullying," said Dr. Damon Murphy, Superintendent. "Any parent, community member, or student can go online and report bullying right on our front page of the Canutillo website, and if we do find bullying taking place, then we make sure to take the appropriate measures."

But after her own experience, Williams says it's still hard for her to trust any school administration.

Recognizing the warning signs of bullying

On Williams' website, is a list of signs parents should be watching for indicative of bullying. She also invites any parent or student that may be struggling to contact her at christiantaylorslaw@yahoo.com.