Two years after the tragic death of 11-year-old Louis "LJ" Johnson III, his parents have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Marion County School Board in Florida, alleging that their son died by suicide after enduring relentless bullying from a fifth-grade teacher — and that school officials failed to intervene.

According to the lawsuit, filed earlier this month, Louis was subjected to public ridicule at Legacy Elementary School by a teacher who allegedly called him “stupid” and “ignorant,” often encouraging classmates to mock him. Court documents cited by PEOPLE reveal that at least 24 of LJ’s classmates corroborated the allegations of mistreatment, describing incidents where the teacher made him a target for verbal abuse and humiliation. 

Despite repeated complaints from students, parents, and staff members, the lawsuit alleges that the Marion County School Board failed to properly investigate or remove the teacher from the classroom.

The lawsuit seeks damages for pain and suffering, funeral expenses, and loss of companionship, and it aims to hold the school district accountable for what the family describes as "gross negligence."

The Marion County School Board has not publicly responded to the lawsuit, citing pending litigation, according to People.

This heartbreaking case underscores broader concerns about teacher misconduct, institutional accountability, and the urgent need for better protections for vulnerable students — particularly Black boys, who are often disproportionately disciplined and marginalized in school settings.