Metro

Mother of son who hanged himself because of alleged bullying sues DOE, teachers & accused tormentors

The devastated East Harlem mom of a boy who hanged himself after years of relentless bullying slapped the Department of Education and her son’s teachers and alleged teenage tormentors with a lawsuit.

Joel Morales, 12, hanged himself in his family’s apartment at the Jefferson Houses in May 2012.

His mom Lisbeth Babilonia, who said her son suffered from a stutter and a hyperactivity disorder, complained to the DOE “multiple times per week” about his torments, Manhattan Supreme suit says.

“While a student at PS 102 Joel was constantly physically and emotionally abused and harassed by students who targeted him because of his diminutive size, weight, intelligence, athleticism, hyperactivity, physical appearance, stutter, etc,” the Manhattan Supreme Court suit charges.

Educators responded by complaining that her son “had difficulty concentrating, fidgeted and was not doing well at school,” according to court papers.

Babilonia’s attorney said the kids — who are identified by their first names only in the suit — are listed as defendants “to get the word out there so people will hold their children responsible for their actions.”

“It’s time for parents’ behavior and attitude about bullying to change,” said lawyer Tedd Kessler.

Shortly before he died Morales was transferred to another school a few blocks away but the city housing authority denied a request to move the family to a new project, and the bullies tracked him down.

Babilonia says the DOE did not take proper precautions to protect her son even though officials knew a “culture of bullying” existed at the school. She’s seeking an unspecified amount in monetary damages.

A city Law Department spokeswoman did not immediately comment.