An 11-year-old boy, Louis Johnson reportedly took his own life after he was allegedly bullied by a female teacher who repeatedly called him ‘stupid,’ according to a new lawsuit.
Johnson used a firearm to kill himself on April 27, 2023 ‘after enduring months of bullying and public embarrassment’ at the hands of former fifth-grade teacher Donna White, the lawsuit, reviewed by Mail Online stated.
He was rushed to the hospital, but sadly died two days later, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
He soon ‘felt like there was no escaping the incessant and daily public humiliation’ brought on by White and the school district, the complaint added.
The lawsuit alleged White engaged in ‘open, notorious, and protected pattern of bullying by systematically and chronically inflicting hurt and/or physical distress’ on Johnson through ‘unwanted and repeated verbal humiliation and insulting behavior, and encouraging other students to engage in the same behavior’ against the child.
He soon ‘felt like there was no escaping the incessant and daily public humiliation’ brought on by White and the school district, the complaint added.
The lawsuit alleged White engaged in ‘open, notorious, and protected pattern of bullying by systematically and chronically inflicting hurt and/or physical distress’ on Johnson through ‘unwanted and repeated verbal humiliation and insulting behavior, and encouraging other students to engage in the same behavior’ against the child.
Shortly after he took his life, Johnson’s parents drew up ‘Su!cide Prevention’ flyers that detail what happened to their son and name the accused teacher as ‘Dawn White.’
She was named only as Donna White or Ms. White in the lawsuit.
Johnson’s parents are demanding $75,000 in damages in the wrongful death lawsuit, including funeral cost for their son, attorney’s fees and for their ‘mental pain and suffering,’ the lawsuit said.
The couple have also requested a jury trial.
Johnson’s father told detectives at the time that he took his son to work with him that day, and once they got home after his shift he placed several items, including the 9mm handgun, on the counter.
His dad said he would normally lock it away in a safe, but on that day he went outside to check on his truck. During that time, Johnson picked up the firearm and fatally shot himself.
Soon after Johnson killed himself, the school district decided not to renew White’s contract following an investigation, the Ocala StarBanner reported.
The Marion County School Board found that her alleged actions violated the district’s anti-harassment policy and two counts of the Principals of Professional Conduct for the Educational Profession, per the outlet.
She was initially suspended for five days pending the completion of the investigation.
According to the outlet, White had one previous disciplinary infraction on her record prior to Johnson’s death. It involved a verbal reprimand for an action not related to students, per school officials.
