EXCLUSIVE
The estranged father of a 12-year-old girl who took her own life after allegedly being bullied at a Sydney private school was released from prison about 18 months ago after serving more than seven years for a violent offence.
Charlotte O’Brien had recently learned of her biological father’s criminal past and told her fellow students at Santa Sabina College in Strathfield about what he had done.
Daily Mail Australia has decided not to publish details of these crimes.
Charlotte’s mother, Kelly, claims that staff at St. Sabina knew her daughter was being bullied by other seventh-graders before she took her own life on Sept. 9.
Emails released by Kelly on Wednesday show she had been in frequent contact with staff members about the bullying and Charlotte’s mental health for two years before the tragedy.
In an email sent in August 2022, Kelly said she was devastated to learn that Charlotte had told friends about her father’s past after Googling him.
“I was devastated to hear what he said to his friends,” his mother told a staff member.
‘To think that other people’s actions are still affecting my baby years later is very difficult.
Charlotte O’Brien, 12 (pictured), took her own life earlier this month after allegedly being bullied at school.
“But I understand that she is quite old and may now feel the need to confide in her friends.”
He added: “I have done everything I can to protect and care for Charlotte and regularly check in on her emotional wellbeing and her thoughts on the issue.
‘And she repeatedly told me it wasn’t a problem.
“I took it as a guarantee, probably because it was what I wanted to hear, and I agreed.”
Daily Mail Australia understands Charlotte’s father is now living in the community with a new partner.
Her sister paid emotional tribute to her niece on Instagram last week, saying she would be “forever an angel.”
“I have always loved you and I will always love you,” she wrote.
‘I hope you are at peace now, sweet girl, and I hope you know how much we love you.’
The tragedy came to light when her family spoke out in an attempt, they said, to stop the school from “sweeping under the carpet” the alleged bullying of their daughter.
Charlotte’s devastated parents say they first reported bullying at their school two years ago
In discussions with the school, Kelly said Charlotte had been left “distressed” due to “friendship issues” and arrangements were made for her to see a counsellor.
Kelly has remained in contact with staff about her daughter’s well-being for the past two years, with the most recent exchange occurring in August.
On Monday, the school said some of the allegations about the circumstances leading to Charlotte’s death are “new to the university” and “not consistent with our records.”
In a statement to 2GB’s Ben Fordham earlier this week, Kelly and her partner said Charlotte’s death “will haunt us for the rest of our lives”.
They said Charlotte had left a note specifically mentioning the bullying she was experiencing at school.
“There are no words that can describe what we feel and it will never be the same again,” they said.
‘When the most recent case of bullying was raised, the school simply said it had been investigated and the girls denied it. That’s it. Case closed. Let’s move on.
‘Well, my beautiful daughter’s life will not go on and I will never be able to say goodbye to her.
“We cannot sweep these problems under the carpet. I will not allow my daughter’s memory to be swept under the carpet either.”
Charlotte’s death came just weeks before her mother is due to marry her long-term partner in October.
Just days before the tragedy, Charlotte and Kelly went shopping to choose their wedding dresses.
“Charlotte chose a pink dress and Kelly chose a blue dress,” a source close to the family told Daily Mail Australia.
‘Charlotte loved looking for the colors pink and blue because her mother’s favorite color is blue and Charlotte loved pink.
Charlotte’s family doesn’t want her alleged harassment to go unnoticed
Pictured: Santa Sabina College in Strathfield, Sydney’s inner west
In a statement to Daily Mail Australia, Santa Sabina College said some of the claims made about the circumstances surrounding Charlotte’s death were “inconsistent” with its records and that its aim was to assist students in the wake of the tragedy.
“Amid an outpouring of grief and with everyone rightly wondering how this could have happened, the College is asking the media to take great care in reporting so as not to create further problems for other vulnerable young people in our community and beyond,” the statement read.
‘The College’s main priority at this time is to support and care for our students, their families and our staff, as well as to support this grieving family.
“While the College supports the idea of raising awareness about mental health challenges, we must bear in mind that children are involved and this situation must be addressed carefully.”
Children’s Helpline at 1800 55 1800 (24 hours, 7 days a week)
Crisis help at 13 11 14 (24 hours/7 days)
Text Lifeline on 0477 13 11 14 (18:00-24:00, 7 days a week)
Online chat at www.lifeline.org.au (7pm-12am, 7 days a week)