Louis Johnson’s parents are suing the Marion County school district on the grounds that their 10-year-old son committed suicide as a result of bullying from a teacher.
Two years after his passing, the Marion County School Board is facing a wrongful death lawsuit from Johnson’s parents. Dawn White, a fifth-grade teacher, is accused of bullying Johnson, a Legacy Elementary School student, and encouraging other children to do the same.
White allegedly called Johnson “stupid” and said he “didn’t know anything”, according to the lawsuit.
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According to a 2023 WCJB article, White allegedly told Johnson, “I don’t know why you’re talking because you don’t even know anything. You don’t know nothing in this class. Isn’t that right kids?”
According to a 2023 investigative report, White verbally insulted, humiliated, and embarrassed students regularly, causing psychological troubles to several students.
WCJB reported that Johnson’s parents claimed they told the school board and the school itself about White’s behavior, but they took no action.
The parents said that White caused Johnson to endure anxiety and depression as a result of the school board’s negligence, which resulted in the 10-year-old’s death. His parents visited the school shortly after his passing and distributed “Suicide Prevention” posters that detailed White’s alleged wrongdoing.
In the 2023 investigation of White, over two dozen student witnesses—twelve of whom were in the same classroom as Johnson—were questioned on White’s classroom conduct.
According to the students, White would become angry if a student gave a bad answer. White was described as frightening and notorious for bringing tears to students’ eyes. They also stated that she would discuss students’ grades in the classroom.
Although school district records and other sources identify the teacher as Dawn White, the complaint lists her as Donna White.
After the investigation, the school board decided not to renew White’s contract.
