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North Vernon Today
By the People, for the People
Parents sue school district after 11-year-old daughter dies by suicide following bullying
Lawsuit alleges school failed to address 'severe and pervasive bullying' that included sexual harassment and assault
Published on Mar. 1, 2026
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The parents of an 11-year-old girl who died by suicide in 2025 have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against her school district, alleging it failed to address 'severe and pervasive bullying' that included sexual harassment and assault by male classmates. The lawsuit details incidents where students repeatedly told the girl to kill herself, physically groped her, and sent abusive messages, which were allegedly reported to school officials but went unaddressed.
Why it matters
This case highlights the devastating consequences that can result from schools failing to properly address bullying and harassment, and the importance of implementing effective policies and interventions to protect vulnerable students. It also raises questions about the school district's handling of the situation and whether more could have been done to prevent the tragedy.
The details
According to the lawsuit, during the 2024-2025 school year, male students at North Vernon Elementary School in Jennings County, Indiana repeatedly told the 11-year-old victim, Brooklyn Cook, to kill herself, physically groped her without consent, and sent her abusive messages. The lawsuit alleges that Brooklyn's friends reported the incidents to school counselors, but the male students were never disciplined. The lawsuit also claims that similar bullying occurred the previous school year, but stopped after the offending students were removed from Brooklyn's class.
- During the 2023-2024 school year, when Brooklyn was in 4th grade, she was subjected to regular severe bullying and harassment by two male students in her class.
- After the male students were removed from Brooklyn's classroom in 2023-2024, the bullying ceased for the remainder of that school year.
- During the 2024-2025 school year, when Brooklyn was in 5th grade, the same male students were back in her classroom, and the bullying resumed and escalated.
- Brooklyn Cook died by suicide on February 17, 2025.
The players
Brooklyn Cook
An 11-year-old 5th grade student at North Vernon Elementary School in Jennings County, Indiana who died by suicide in February 2025 after experiencing 'severe and pervasive bullying' by male classmates.
Benjamin and Sarah Cook
The parents of Brooklyn Cook who have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Jennings County School Corporation.
Jennings County School Corporation
The school district that the lawsuit alleges failed to address the bullying and harassment experienced by Brooklyn Cook.
Nicole Johnson
The superintendent of the Jennings County School Corporation named as a defendant in the lawsuit.
Leonard Collett
The principal of North Vernon Elementary School named as a defendant in the lawsuit.
What’s next
The judge in the case will decide whether to allow the lawsuit to proceed.
The takeaway
This tragic case underscores the critical importance of schools having robust anti-bullying policies and procedures in place, and taking swift and effective action to protect vulnerable students from harassment and abuse. The failure to do so can have devastating consequences.
