Lawsuit claims Owasso schools ignored years of bullying before Nex Benedict’s death

For years, Sue Benedict says she watched her child, Nex, struggle through school, bullied for who they were and overlooked by the adults who were supposed to protect them.

This week, Sue filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Owasso Public Schools, alleging the district failed her family. The legal action comes nearly four months after Nex, a 16-year-old sophomore, died by suicide following a violent altercation inside a school bathroom.

>>> Family of Nex Benedict files federal lawsuit against Owasso Public Schools

According to the lawsuit, the harassment began back in eighth grade, when Nex began expressing a different gender identity. Sue says the bullying was constant, verbal, physical, and visible to teachers and staff.

She claims that despite meeting with school leaders and filing formal reports, little changed.

In the fall of 2023, Sue says she reported the bullying three times, according to the lawsuit. It says the abuse continued into Nex's sophomore year.

On February 7, 2024, Nex was placed in in-school suspension with three students previously accused of bullying them. That same day, police said Nex threw water on the students in a school bathroom, triggering a fight that left Nex unconscious on the floor.

Nex was treated at a hospital and released that evening. Less than 24 hours later, Nex died by suicide.

The lawsuit claims the district did not investigate the incident or offer counseling or follow-up support for Nex.

But in a News On 6 report in February 2024, Owasso Schools did offer counseling services to students after Nex’s death.

Sue and her legal team argue that the damage had already been done, and that years of inaction by the district played a direct role in her child’s death.

News On 6 has reached out to both Sue Benedict and her attorney. As of Friday morning, they have not responded to requests for comment.

More coverage on Nex Benedict can be found here.