Photo: GoFundMe
Two years after an 11-year-old Louis Johnson III, “LJ,” died by suicide, his parents are suing the school district he was in, alleging that his fifth-grade teacher bullied him, according to court documents obtained and reviewed by PEOPLE.
LJ died by suicide on April 27, 2023. His parents, Tyka Johnson and Louis Johnson Jr., filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Marion County School Board in Ocala, Fla., on Monday, April 21.
They alleged that LJ’s teacher, Donna White, bullied him and recruited other students to bully him. The lawsuit names her as Donna, but school records list her name as Dawn. White was a teacher at Legacy Elementary in Ocala.
The parents alleged that White “constantly, consistently and relentlessly publicly humiliated minor child [LJ] in front of his peers, calling him ‘stupid’ and ridiculing him in front of his classmates on several occasions over the span of months,” per the filing.
They also claim that she would “recruit other students to ridicule” LJ and urge them to agree with comments that LJ was “stupid” and “didn’t know anything,” according to the filing.
The parents also claim they reported the bullying allegations to the school board. They alleged that the board was negligent, which caused LJ to suffer depression and anxiety and his death.
On April 21, 2025, the parents demanded trial by jury “as to all issues triable as a matter of right to a jury.”
After LJ’s death, his parents passed out “Suicide Prevention” flyers at his school. The flyers included the allegations against White. Additionally, a June 2023 investigation into White’s behavior was conducted, in which over 24 students — 12 of whom were White’s students — alleged that White would sometimes make students cry and comment on students’ grades in the classroom, per WCJB. Due to the investigation’s findings, her contract was not renewed.
LJ’s family also created a GoFundMe after his death to help raise money for his medical and funeral expenses.
“He loved the beach, catching crabs, making TikTok recipes and was a huge advocate for the homeless,” read the description. “He was a much loved son, brother, uncle and friend. For those of you who knew him, you were the lucky ones. He would light up any room with his infectious smile.”
