Parents Sue School Board After 11-Year-Old Son’s Suicide

Two years after their son Louis Johnson III (LJ) died by suicide, his parents have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Marion County School Board in Florida. They claim the school failed to act on their repeated warnings about a fifth-grade teacher, Donna (or Dawn) White, who allegedly bullied LJ for months by calling him “stupid” and encouraging other students to mock him.

The emotional abuse, they say, led to LJ’s anxiety, depression, and ultimately his suicide on April 27, 2023. An internal school investigation found that 24 students reported similar behavior from the teacher, and her contract was not renewed.

The family is seeking a jury trial for negligence and has launched a GoFundMe page to raise awareness about the effects of adult bullying on children. They remember LJ as a kind, compassionate boy who loved the beach, TikTok recipes, and helping the homeless.