US police 'can't force' websites to remove copies of suicide streamed on social media

Police in the US state of Georgia say they can't force websites to remove copies of a social media video showing a girl killing herself.

The footage, from 30 December in Cedartown, was recorded by 12-year-old Katelyn Davis in her family's front yard.

Katelyn's family deleted the page from her Facebook profile.

The site's community operations team say they're working hard to take it down whenever it's been shared too.

Authorities in Polk County, though, say they have no way of legally forcing other websites to take the video down.

Police in Georgia say they've been getting calls from around the world about the footage, including one outraged caller from the UK.

Polk County Police Chief Kenny Dodd told US TV network Fox 5 that there's not a lot they can do.

"We were actually contacted by a police officer from California who saw it the night of the event," he said.

"We want it down as much as anyone for the family and it may be harmful to other kids.

"We contacted some of the sites. They asked if they had to take it down and by law they don't.

"But it's just the common decent thing to do in my opinion."

Police are now looking into why Katelyn Nicole Davis took her own life.

Officers say they're looking into allegations of abuse and attempted rape she made in an online diary three days before her death.

Chief Dodd says the post has now been taken down and no charges have been filed.

Polk County coroner Tony Brazier said Katelyn's cause of death has yet to be determined and says tests are continuing.

"Those test results will be forthcoming soon," he told the Polk Standard Journal.

If you are depressed and need to ask for help, there's advice on who to contact at BBC Advice.

Alternatively call Samaritans on 116123 or Childline on 0800 1111.

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