Kids can be cruel, but adults can intentionally tort

[texaslawchick]

I saw this article today about the death of Megan Meiers (more information here), and I couldn't help but make comparisons to my own pre-adolescence.

Megan's story starts out as the typical "the Internet wants your daughters" scare story that Allyson talks about in Vampire People. Or, come to think of it I, Robot, You, Jane. An awkward 13

Comments

[jasheffe]

So...from a legal standpoint...can the Drew's be held accountable as driving Megan to kill herself as well as aiding and abetting the other kids into a potential criminal action?

[texaslawchick]

I don't think criminal, and I don't think anyone who posts anything on the internet would want criminal, outside maybe inducing minors to have sex.

But there's such a thing as suing someone for "intentional infliction of emotional distress." I think it's likely that the elements of that are there, especially since Megan's parents can show that the Drews actions were intentional, pretty outrageous, caused distress, and that there were damages. I don't know whether or not that tort is available in Missouri, but given the publicity this case has gotten in the last few days, I suspect that there are a lot of lawyers now offering their services to the Meirs family.

[jasheffe]

I read the articles (thanks for all of the links!) and I'm seriously outraged over it. I can understand kids doing it because kids are vicious...but parents stooping to that level and enlisting other kids to help? I'd love to see MySpace sue them for misuse of the service (ToS) but I know that wouldn't happen.

[twistedcat]

are you sure? maybe someone should put a bug in their ear about it... of the "you might want to spin this more in your favor" variety...

[jasheffe]

I'm thinking about pinging him about this but I'm not sure if it would be worth it in the sense of if he'd really do anything.

[twistedcat]

it's worth it to try