ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — Thursday marks three years since Tristyn Bailey was fatally stabbed by her classmate in St. Johns County.
The 13-year-old cheerleader was killed on Mother's Day 2021.
Her family is carrying on her legacy through the Tristyn Bailey Foundation. Wednesday, they hosted a presentation at Tocoi Creek High school for teens and their parents about online safety in partnership with the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office and Homeland Security Investigations.
Tristyn's father, Forrest Bailey, told First Coast News, "It's hard to believe on some days that it's been three years."
Tristyn was stabbed more than 100 times by her 14-year-old classmate in a crime that rocked the St. Johns County community and beyond.
While the Baileys continue to work through their grief, they are focused on finding a new purpose.
"I think that's what we've done is just try to make sure that we can give back, especially to the people that helped us or the people who don't have the support. We've just tried to flood our, our lives into helping others," Stacy Bailey, Tristyn's mother, said.
They invited cheerleaders, Tristyn's friends and the community to the Project iGuardian presentation about online safety presented by Homeland Security Investigations.
"Social media was something that both was a factor in Tristyn being lured out of her home, as well as what we as a family have endured," Forrest Bailey said.
Stacy Bailey said kids need to understand why parents and teachers are so adamant about online safety. "It's also intended for the parents to say, 'Hey, did you know about this?' because you need to understand your kids may have more knowledge on technology than you do. So it's good for both of them to be there to understand how can you protect your kids," she said.
The Tristyn Bailey Foundation is also sponsoring free self-defense classes to give girls and women tools to protect themselves.
"My daughter fought for her life. And she had 49 defense wounds where she was trying to protect herself. And I think maybe she would have had a little bit more a class something like that. Maybe she could have helped herself a little bit better," Stacy Bailey said.
As Tristyn's parents look back over the past three years, they are grateful for the outpouring of support from the community and paying it forward by making sure their community evolves into a safer place.
This will be part of Tristyn's legacy, along with her memory. "The smile and the laughter that was part of Tristyn and who she is will continue to resonate with her friends," Forrest Bailey said.
Wednesday's presentation goes until about 7:30 p.m. at Tocoi High. The Baileys plan to have more in the future, and they're also encouraging girls and their moms to sign up for a free self-defense class.
Self defense classes are scheduled for Aug. 14 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Oct. 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. They will take place at Sparc Athletics at 94 Thomas Industry Way, suite #203.
You can learn more at https://tristynbailey.com/.
