Student speaks out about being bullied

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- A fourth grade boy in New Haven says a petition was started about him, saying 'sign this petition if you want this student hurt.'

He and his parents say he's been tormented for more than a year and they've had enough.

Twice 9-year-old Ben Ziebell told his parents he wanted to talk on camera to tell his story so his parents allowed him to. They figured their son, in the gifted and talented program, is well spoken so maybe he could get his point across because the parents say no one is listening to them.

"This is supposed to be the ring leader and this is supposed to be me," said Ziebell.

It looks like just a picture, but this Beecher School student says there's a lot more to it.

"At the top it said, 'I hate Ben. Sign this petition if you want him dead,'" said Ziebell.

Nine-year-old Ben Ziebell says that line disappeared when one of the students learned he was going to tell the teacher.

"He took the pieces of paper off the clipboard and ripped it off," said Ziebell.

Ben's parents say this was the most extreme example of bullying he's dealt with but there's more, including constant name calling and racial remarks.

"Cracker, whiteboy," said Ziebell.

"When Ben asked me what it meant I just told him that these people are calling him names saying that he's really smart," said John Ziebell, Ben's dad.

Ben says the group of students have been bothering him all year. The family met with Board of Education last year and they say that was just it, a meeting with no resolution.

"If they get in trouble, they might stop for the rest of the day, but then they'll start again the next morning," said Ziebell.

New 8 spoke with Beecher's Anti-bullying specialist this morning who referred us to the school department for comment.

We got a statement which says in part, "We have strict anti-bullying policies in place at every school in the district, that include prevention strategies as well as reporting and investigating procedures."

While we were at the home, the Board of Education called to schedule a meeting with the Ziebell's.

"How many days ago and nobody has been in trouble for this picture, even though they have admitted to drawing it," said John Ziebell over the phone.

"What do you hope happens here," asked News 8's Erin Logan.

"I hope they get suspended," said Ziebell.

New Haven's Board of Education has approved a new anti-bullying policy in November of 2011. To view the policy, click here.