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Teacher Acquitted in Harassment Case Linked to Student Suicide

The court cited insufficient evidence to convict the teacher, while Evaëlle's parents plan to appeal the controversial verdict.

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Suicide d'Evaëlle: «je n'ai aucune responsabilité», rappelle l'enseignante relaxée
En juin 2019, Evaëlle, 11 ans, mettait fin à ses jours dans sa chambre. Son ancienne professeure de français était jugée en mars pour le harcèlement de trois de ses élèves, dont Evaëlle. 

Overview

  • The Pontoise court acquitted the teacher, Pascale B., of harassment charges related to 11-year-old Evaëlle's suicide in 2019, citing 'discordant, indirect, and little circumstantiated' evidence.
  • Prosecutors had argued the teacher's actions catalyzed peer harassment against Evaëlle, but the court ruled her behavior fell within legitimate classroom authority.
  • Evaëlle's parents expressed outrage at the verdict, claiming it legitimizes abusive teaching practices and fails to address systemic institutional failures.
  • The parents have announced plans to appeal the decision, while the teacher maintains her innocence, denying any responsibility for Evaëlle's death.
  • The case has reignited national debates in France over educator accountability, school harassment policies, and the broader failures of the education system to protect vulnerable students.