On April 27, 2023, Louis Johnson III, affectionately known as “LJ,” committed suicide at the age of 11. His parents, Tyka Johnson and Louis Johnson Jr., have filed a lawsuit against the Marion County School Board in Ocala, Florida, nearly two years after this heartbreaking loss, claiming that the board is directly responsible for their son’s untimely death.
The Johnsons filed a lawsuit on April 21, 2025, claiming that their son’s fifth-grade teacher, not his friends, was tormenting him at school on a regular basis. Although the teacher’s initial name is listed as Dawn in school records, the lawsuit lists her as Donna White. White acted cruelly, consistently, and relentlessly toward LJ, according to court filings. The Johnsons claim that she severely damaged their son’s mental health by singling him out in class, calling him “dumb,” and encouraging other pupils to join in the jeering.
The complaint alleges that this pattern of public humiliation persisted for several months and that no significant action was taken in spite of the family’s repeated attempts to alert the school board to their concerns. The Johnsons contend that LJ’s sadness, anxiety, and suicide were caused by the toxic atmosphere his instructor created, and that the school failed in its obligation to shield him from it.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office reports that LJ passed away in the hospital two days after making an attempt on his life. Following the accident, more than two dozen pupils who had attended White’s lesson were interviewed by local police as part of their inquiry.
Their testimonies presented an unsettling image of a classroom filled with anxiety and mental turmoil. Students claimed that White frequently yelled at kids, causing several to cry when they had trouble with schoolwork, according to WCJB reporting. According to the investigation’s final report, White’s verbally abusive behavior caused her students to suffer from long-lasting psychological stress.
White’s contract with the school district was terminated after the investigation. However, the harm had already been done to LJ’s family. To assist in paying for his funeral and other associated expenditures, they set up a GoFundMe campaign after his death.
In their appeal for help, they spoke of a small child who was full of happiness, kindness, and promise; he loved the beach, loved creating recipes for TikTok, and had a great desire to serve others. During the event, LJ recounted a story that demonstrated his empathy: he would ask his father to pause and offer prayers for those experiencing homelessness.
The Johnsons mentioned that LJ had battled bullying ever since moving to Florida, a fight he finally lost. “On 4/27/2023, he surrendered and ended his own life,” they said.
The family’s case is a demand for accountability and systemic change, not merely a legal claim. It draws attention to the terrible effects that unrestrained bullying, particularly when it comes from people in positions of power, may have on a child’s mental health. In addition to paying tribute to their son’s memory, the Johnsons hope that their fight for justice will shield other kids from going through what they did.