'Uber took my daughter past the point of no return': Florida girl, 12, committed suicide by ordering a car from the ride service app and driving 20 miles to an Orlando parking garage where she jumped off the roof
- Benita 'BB' Diamond took her own life on January 10, 2019, by jumping from ninth floor of Orlando parking garage
- Benita was able to get to the garage from her parents' home 20 miles away by calling an Uber
- Uber has a policy in place that bars passengers under 18 from riding in their vehicles without an adult
- Benita's parents said at the press conference Thursday the driver who picked up the 12-year-old never questioned her age
- Lisha Chen and Ronald Diamond want Uber and other ride-sharing companies to strictly enforce their policies concerning minors
Benita 'BB' Diamond was 12-years-old when one night in January 2019, she ordered an Uber car, made her way to a parking garage in Orlando and jumped from the roof to her death.
Now, Benita's parents, Lisha Chen and Ronald Diamond, are threatening legal action against Uber and demanding that all ride-sharing services strictly enforce policies barring drivers from transporting unaccompanied minors.
Benita's family, accompanied by their attorney, Laura Douglas, and surrounded by blown-up portraits of their late daughter, staged a press conference in the Orlando suburb of Lake Nona to issue a call to action.
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Lisha Chen (left) is pictured with her daughter, 12-year-old Benita (right), who on January 10 took an Uber by herself and committed suicide
Benita went to the top of this nine-story parking garage in Orlando and jumped to her death
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‘We all know bad things happen when kids get in cars with strangers without their parent’s consent,’ Douglas said.
According to Chen and Diamond, on the night of January 10, Benita downloaded the Uber app to her mother’s phone as the woman slept and logged into an account she had previously created, reported Orlando Sentinel.
She requested that a car pick her up from a vacant lot in the Lake Nona subdivision, and used a gift card she got for Christmas to pay for the ride.
According to the family attorney, the driver took the 12-year-old girl to downtown Orlando 20 miles away without ever questioning her age, or asking where her parents were.
Chen said she has since learned the driver did not speak a word of English, reported Fox 35.
After being dropped off outside the City Commons Parking Garage, Benita made her way to the top of the nine-story building and jumped to her death.
The girl's' father said Benita left behind a letter, in which she marveled at how easy it was to have the Uber car pick her and said that she expected 'more of a hassle.'
She added that she was en route to downtown Orlando and was 'past the point of no return,'
Benita's family staged a press conference on Thursday to demand that Uber and other ride-sharing companies take actions to prevent another tragedy involving a minor
Chen (left) and Diamond (right) believe that had the Uber driver refused to pick up Benita because of her age, it might have given them time to notice red flags and save her
‘Uber took my daughter past the point of no return,’ Ronald Diamond said. ‘Nobody else did.’
Both parents believe that had the driver refused to pick their daughter up, it might have given them more time to notice ‘red flags’ and save their child.
Six months after her death, Benita's parents still don't know why the bright 12-year-old who excelled in her studies and was a gifted pianist killed herself
Six months after her death, Benita's parents still don't know why the bright girl who excelled in her studies and was a gifted pianist decided to take her life.
Uber has a policy in place that requires all account holders to be at least 18 years old and prohibits passengers under 18 to ride in their vehicles without an adult.
Chen and Diamond stressed during the press conference that they are not interested in a playout from the ride-sharing company, but rather want changes implemented to prevent a similar tragedy.
‘This will happen to another child or teenager if I don’t do anything right now, if I don’t make sure Uber, or Lyft or any share-ride company enforces their policy,’ Chen said. ‘They have a policy in place, but if they don’t enforce it, it’s useless.’
An Uber spokesperson said the incident had not been reported to the company in the last six months, but the ride-sharing service is now investigating and will take appropriate action.
- For confidential help or advice, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 1-800-273-8255.
