Serine
The family of Nex Benedict, a 16-year-old non-binary student, has filed a wrongful death and negligence lawsuit against Owasso Public Schools.
The suit follows the teen’s suicide on February 8, 2024, which occurred just one day after a physical altercation in a school bathroom involving multiple students.
Allegations of Neglect and Inaction by School Officials
According to court filings, the school district allegedly ignored repeated reports of bullying and sexual harassment targeted at Benedict, centered around their gender identity.
The lawsuit claims that school officials were made aware of the harassment multiple times but failed to take appropriate action to protect Benedict or address the abuse.
“Eventually, the constant bullying and harassment… became too much,” the lawsuit states, blaming both student aggression and district inaction for Benedict’s death.
Escalating Harassment and Administrative Indifference
The legal documents assert that Benedict first experienced persistent abuse in eighth grade after expressing their gender identity.
Despite multiple complaints by the family to school counselors and administrators, the district allegedly failed to intervene or offer support services.
After a brief withdrawal, Benedict returned to school in March 2023. Their mother met with district staff to discuss protections and expectations. However, the lawsuit claims that bullying resumed almost immediately and intensified throughout the 2023–2024 school year.
“Nex would bring up the abuse at home multiple times a week,” the lawsuit highlights.
Events Leading to the Final Incident
In the days before the tragedy, Benedict and other students were placed in in-school suspension. The lawsuit says that three students continued bullying Benedict during this time, which culminated in a bathroom fight on February 7, 2024.
Though the school acknowledged a short altercation and stated staff intervened, the family was not fully informed of the incident’s severity. After visiting a hospital for treatment, Benedict later collapsed at home and passed away on February 8.
Federal Investigation Reveals Pattern of Negligence
Following the teen’s death, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) launched an investigation.
Their findings, cited in the lawsuit, indicate that Owasso Public Schools had a pattern of mishandling sexual harassment complaints and displayed “deliberate indifference” to families’ concerns.
OCR reported that such failures were known to district policymakers, including the school board.
Family Seeks Accountability and Damages
Benedict’s family is pursuing compensatory damages, legal fees, and other relief deemed appropriate by the court.
They argue that Owasso Public Schools could have prevented this tragedy by addressing reports of harassment with urgency and seriousness.
In a brief response, the district said it had not yet received formal notice of the lawsuit and declined to comment further.
The tragic loss of Nex Benedict has reignited national discussions around school responsibility, LGBTQ+ student protection, and the importance of timely intervention in cases of bullying.
As the lawsuit proceeds, it will likely serve as a crucial benchmark for how schools handle reports of harassment related to gender identity and student safety.