Police say they can't remove videos of suicide streamed live

Editor's note: A previous version of this story misstated that the video in question originally streamed on Facebook Live. This story has been updated to reflect the fact that the video was originally live streamed on Live.me, and subsequently distributed on Facebook.

Authorities in the U.S. state of Georgia have said they are powerless to remove copies of a video showing a girl dying by suicide.

Katelyn Nicole Davis, 12, recorded the footage in Cedartown and streamed it live via the Live.me platform. From there, the video ended up on YouTube and Facebook.

While YouTube took down the footage because it violated its policy on violent or graphic content, as of publication time copies of the video remain on Facebook.

Polk County Police Chief Kenny Dodd told Fox 5 they've been getting messages, emails and phone calls from around the world -- even the UK -- from people outraged about the video.

But he said there's little he can do:

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

Police are looking into why Davis took her own life. An investigation has been launched upon the discovery of her online diary, in which she claimed to be the victim of abuse and sexual assault three days before her death, on Dec. 27.

Polk County coroner Tony Brazier said tests to determine causes of her death are continuing.

"Those test results will be forthcoming soon," he said.

To talk to someone about self-injury or if you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, text the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. For international resources, this list is a good place to start.