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Union County teen charged with cyberbullying

UNION COUNTY, N.C. — A Union County teen has been arrested on cyberbullying charges.

Deputies said 16-year-old Kaylan Ashrafi began harassing a Weddington High School classmate last school year and it continued even after she was ordered to stop.

"The victim was receiving derogatory comments online by the suspect," said Capt. Cody Luke.

Luke said she posted negative, graphic messages on her Twitter page, although Ashrafi's tweets are protected.

Her bio is visible and reads, "Why make friends when you can make meth."

Captain Luke said the victim and her family were in constant contact with school officials about the bullying.

Ashrafi was ordered to stop but deputies said the bullying continued.

Channel 9 spoke to the victim's mother by phone.

She said the ordeal had a tremendous impact on her daughter and the entire family.

It led her parents to remove their daughter from Union County Public Schools and moved her into another district this school year.

Investigators said the cyber bullying continued, so Weddington High's school resource officer pressed charges.

Ashrafi was arrested and charged with cyber bullying Thursday.

"We won't tolerate it and we will continue to charge, so children can go to school and live their lives and go to school the way that they should being happy and carefree," Luke said.

The mother of the victim said her daughter is adjusting to her new environment and moving on with her life.

As for the suspect, her mother said she hopes that Ashrafi learns something from her arrest.

Channel 9 reached out to Union County Public Schools.

A district spokesperson Rob Jackson said he could not comment about individual students.

Jackson said the safety and security of students and staff is the district’s number one priority.

The district does have a policy against bullying and harassment.