Evaëlle’s Suicide: Teacher Acquitted of Harassment Charges, Parents to Appeal

The criminal court of Pontoise acquitted Pascale B., 62, a former French teacher, on Thursday, April 10. She had been prosecuted for the moral harassment of Evaëlle, an 11-year-old student who died by suicide in June 2019 at her home in Herblay (Val-d’Oise), at the end of her sixth-grade year.

Court Finds “Insufficient Evidence of Intent”

During the trial, held in March, the prosecutor had requested an 18-month suspended prison sentence and a permanent ban from teaching, accusing the teacher of having “thrown the young girl to the wolves” in a context of “absolute authority.” Pascale B., who had taught Evaëlle during the 2018–2019 school year, consistently denied any wrongdoing. On the stand, she said: “I did not humiliate Evaëlle” and expressed how painful it was to be held responsible for her death.

In its ruling, the court found that the “intentional element of the offense was not established” and stated that the allegations were “inconsistent, indirect, and insufficiently detailed,” or amounted to actions falling within the normal scope of classroom authority. The presiding judge concluded that since unintentional harassment is not a punishable offense under French law, no conviction could be issued.

A Defining Incident and Lasting Incomprehension

Testimonies during the trial highlighted a particular incident: during a classroom session on bullying, Evaëlle was asked to respond to her classmates’ criticisms in front of the entire class. When she began crying, the teacher reportedly insisted she answer their questions. The girl later described the experience to her mother as “the worst day of my life.” Though she changed schools shortly afterward and initially seemed to improve, she later faced new difficulties.

Evaëlle’s father told the court that his daughter “didn’t have time to process” the bullying she had endured, and that in the end, she “saw no other way out.”

The acquittal was met with deep frustration by the family. Their lawyer announced plans to appeal the civil aspect of the ruling, calling the verdict “a slap in the face.” Evaëlle’s mother expressed disbelief, stating that the justice system “condones the teacher’s behavior” and is “aligned with the National Education system.” She also voiced her desire to push for changes to French bullying legislation.

Pascale B. was also acquitted in two other harassment cases involving former students. One of them testified during the trial, saying that the teacher’s attitude during the 2018–2019 school year had been “deeply belittling.” However, the court found that this student did not display symptoms typically associated with trauma. Two of Evaëlle’s former classmates are still scheduled to face the juvenile court on bullying charges before the end of the year.