EXCLUSIVE
The estranged father of a 12-year-old girl who took her own life after allegedly being bullied at a Sydney private school was released from prison about 18 months ago after serving more than seven years for a violent crime.
Charlotte OBrien had recently learned of her biological father’s criminal past and told fellow students at Santa Sabina College at Strathfield about what he had done.
Daily Mail Australia has chosen not to publish details about those offences.
Charlottes mother Kelly claims staff at Santa Sabina were aware her daughter was being harassed by other Year 7 girls before she took her own life on September 9.
Emails released by Kelly on Wednesday show she had been in frequent contact with staff members about Charlottes bullying and mental health for two years before the tragedy.
In one email, sent in August 2022, Kelly said she was shattered to learn that Charlotte had told friends about her fathers past after looking him up on Google.
I was devastated to hear what she said to her friends, her mother told one staff member.
The thought that someone elses actions are still plaguing my baby years later is very hard.
Charlotte OBrien, 12, (pictured) took her own life earlier this month after allegedly being bullied at school
Charlotte is pictured with her father and mother as a child
But I understand that she is significantly older and now may feel the need to confide and trust in her friends.
She added: I have done everything I can to shelter and nurture Charlotte and regularly check on her emotional well-being and thoughts on the subject.
And she repeatedly told me it wasnt an issue.
So I took this as reassurance, probably because it was what I wanted to hear and made peace with it.
Daily Mail Australia understands Charlottes father is now living in the community with a new partner.
His sister made an emotional tribute to her niece on Instagram last week, saying she would be forever an angel.
I always have and always will love you, she wrote.
I hope you are at peace now sweet girl and I hope you know how much you are loved by us.
The tragedy was revealed when her family spoke out in a bid, they said, to stop their daughters alleged bullying from being swept under the carpet by the school.
Charlottes devastated parents say they first reported the bullying to her school two years ago
In the discussions with the school, Kelly noted Charlotte had been left distressed due to friendship issues and arrangements were made for her to see a counsellor.
Kelly remained in contact with staff about her daughters welfare over the past two years, with the most recent exchange occurring in August.
On Monday, the school said some claims made about the circumstances that led to Charlottes death are new to the College and not consistent with our records.
In a statement to 2GBs Ben Fordham earlier this week, Kelly and her partner said Charlottes death with haunt us for the rest of our lives.
They said Charlotte had left a note specifically mentioning the bullying she was suffering at school.
No words can ever describe what its like for us, and it will never be the same again, they said.
When the most recent case of bullying was raised, the school simply said it was investigated and the girls denied it. Thats it. Case closed. Move on.
Well my beautiful daughters life wont move on and Ill never get to say goodbye.
These issues cannot be swept under the carpet. I will not let my daughters memory be swept under the carpet either.
Charlottes death came just weeks before her mother is due to marry her long-term partner in October.
Just days before the tragedy, Charlotte and Kelly went shopping to pick out their dresses for the wedding.
Charlotte picked a pink dress and Kelly picked a blue dress, a source close to the family told Daily Mail Australia.
Charlotte used to love looking out for pink and blue colours because her mums favourite colour is blue and Charlotte loved pink.
Charlottes family dont want her alleged bullying swept under the carpet
Pictured: Santa Sabina College at Strathfield, in Sydneys inner west
In a statement to Daily Mail Australia, Santa Sabina College said some of the claims made about the circumstances surrounding Charlottes death were inconsistent with their records and that their focus was on helping students in the wake of the tragedy.
In the outpouring of grief as everyone rightly questions how this could have happened, the College asks the media to take immense care in reporting so that further issues are not created for other vulnerable young people in our community and beyond, the statement read.
The main priority of the College at the moment is to support and care for our students, their families and our staff as well as support for this grieving family.
While the College supports the idea of raising awareness of mental health challenges, we have to take into account that children are involved and this situation needs to be carefully navigated.
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