Nationwide — In Ocala, Florida, the parents of 10-year-old Louis Johnson III, known as “LJ,” have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Marion County School Board, nearly two years after their son’s tragic death by suicide. Tyka Johnson and Louis Johnson Jr. allege in the lawsuit, filed on April 21, 2025, that their son was relentlessly bullied by his fifth-grade teacher at Legacy Elementary School, leading to severe depression and anxiety. The lawsuit accuses the teacher, listed as Donna White in court documents but identified in school records as Dawn White, of humiliating LJ in front of his peers and encouraging classmates to join in the bullying.According to WCJB, the parents claim that White consistently insulted LJ, calling him “stupid” and telling him he “didn’t know anything” during class. According to the lawsuit, White would often mock LJ in front of other students and encourage them to agree with her, further isolating the young boy. They allege that despite their repeated complaints to school officials about White’s behavior, no corrective action was taken, ultimately allowing the psychological abuse to continue unchecked. The family is demanding a trial by jury for all issues related to their claims.
Following LJ’s death on April 27, 2023, his parents returned to Legacy Elementary School to distribute “Suicide Prevention” flyers, which detailed the allegations against White. In a subsequent investigation completed in June 2023, more than two dozen students — including twelve who shared a classroom with LJ — were interviewed about White’s conduct. Many described her as frightening and reported that she would sometimes make students cry, ridicule them for wrong answers, and publicly discuss their grades, creating a hostile classroom environment.
The investigation ultimately concluded that White had chronically inflicted psychological distress on students through verbal insults, humiliation, and embarrassment. As a result, the Marion County School Board chose not to renew her contract. However, the Johnson family asserts that the school board’s initial inaction following their complaints constituted negligence, directly contributing to their son’s emotional deterioration and tragic death.
Beyond their legal actions, LJ’s family also launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover medical and funeral expenses. Remembering LJ’s vibrant spirit, the family shared that he loved spending time at the beach, catching crabs, experimenting with TikTok recipes, and advocating for the homeless. “He was a much-loved son, brother, uncle, and friend,” they wrote. “For those of you who knew him, you were the lucky ones. He would light up any room with his infectious smile.”
As of Monday, a representative for the Marion County School Board had not responded to requests for comment regarding the lawsuit or the allegations against White. The case shines a harsh light on the growing concerns surrounding school bullying and the accountability of educational institutions to protect vulnerable students.