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St. Paul Mother Believes Daughter Is Target Of Bullying

ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) -- A St. Paul mother says a bully is targeting her daughter. Karen Thornburg is now worried for her child's life.

For 10-year-old Kathy Grover, the walk to and from school is terrifying.  Since September, Kathy says she's been the target of a bully.

"I'm actually really scared about it," said Kathy Grover, who said she's been bullied.

Her blood-stained school shirt still carries the signs of her most recent attack.  Her mother, Karen Thornburg, also has pictures the injuries that include a bloodied lip.

St. Paul Bullying Kathryn Thornburg
(credit: CBS)

"The last time she showed up like that it took us 20 minutes to get her lip to quit bleeding," said Karen Thornburg, Kathy's mother.

Police have investigated the bullying incidents, but there is a challenge. For months Kathy claimed it was two to three girls bullying her. Only recently did she admit it was just one.

"I didn't want to sound like a wimp," said Grover.

"She's so scared of her, she didn't think anyone would do anything. That's why she said it was just the one," said Thornburg.

It's a scenario that's playing out in schools across the nation.  Every day, thousands of children are victims of bullies.

"I desperately want to see change, not just for Kathy, but all these kids," said Thornburg.

For Karen, that change now means limiting the days Kathy walks to school alone. But there are still times when the fourth-grader must make that walk by herself.  It's those days that worry her mother the most.

"It keeps escalating.  The threats keep escalating, and honestly, I think this child is going to take it too far," said Karen.

St. Paul Police said they did make arrests in this case, but those people are not in custody at this time. Right now, they need some new information before they can move forward. The school is not able to step in because it's not happening on school property.

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