Louis Johnson III, affectionately referred to as “LJ,” committed suicide on April 27, 2023, at the age of 11. Almost two years after this tragic loss, Tyka Johnson and Louis Johnson Jr., his parents, have filed a lawsuit against the Marion County School Board in Ocala, Florida, claiming that they are directly responsible for their son’s untimely death.
The Johnsons sued the school on April 21, 2025, claiming that their son was being bullied by his fifth-grade teacher, not his classmates. Although her initial name is listed as Dawn in school records, the teacher is named Donna White in the lawsuit.
White’s treatment of LJ was brutal, persistent, and merciless, according to court filings. The Johnsons claim that their son suffered severe psychological trauma as a result of her allegations that she singled him out in class, branded him “stupid,” and urged other pupils to join in making fun of him.
According to the complaint, this pattern of public humiliation continued for several months, and the family repeatedly tried to voice their concerns to the school board, but nothing significant was done. The Johnsons claim that the school did not fulfill its obligation to shield LJ from the toxic atmosphere his instructor fostered, which ultimately caused him to suffer from despair, anxiety, and suicide.
LJ passed away in the hospital two days after making an attempt on his life, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office reported. More than two dozen students who had been in White’s class were interviewed by local police as part of their inquiry after the incident.
According to their testimonies, the classroom atmosphere was one of emotional discomfort and terror. WCJB reported that pupils claimed White frequently yelled at kids, causing them to cry when they had trouble with schoolwork. White’s verbally abusive behavior caused her students to suffer from long-lasting psychological stress, according to the investigation’s final report.
White’s contract with the school district ended as a result of the inquiry. But the harm was already done to LJ’s family. Following his death, they set up a GoFundMe page to assist with the funeral bills and other associated charges.
They appealed for aid, describing a young child who was full of promise, joy, and compassion; he loved the beach, loved creating recipes for TikTok, and had a great heart for helping others. LJ’s sensitivity was demonstrated at the fundraiser by a memory he shared: he would ask his father to pause and offer prayers for those experiencing homelessness.
Since moving to Florida, LJ has battled bullying, which the Johnsons observed he was finally unable to overcome. They stated that on April 27, 2023, “he gave up his fight and took his own life.”
The family’s complaint calls for accountability and systemic change in addition to being a legal claim. It emphasizes how detrimental unrestrained bullying can be to a child’s mental health, particularly when it comes from people in positions of authority. The Johnsons believe that by pursuing justice, they will not only preserve their son’s memory but also shield other kids from going through what they did.
