MIDDLETOWN, N.J. — The Middletown School District is not only fighting the family of a bullied girl who committed suicide, but they are now blaming her for her own death in a recently filed court brief.
The family of a 14-year-old girl who died by suicide in 2022 is moving forward with a wrongful-death lawsuit against the Middletown school district, alleging the district failed to intervene in bullying that contributed to her death.
Key Points
- Jocelyn Walters, 14, died by suicide on Sept. 9, 2022, after alleged bullying at Middletown High School North
- Lawsuit names school district officials, a mental health provider, and two students
- Both sides moved to seal medical, school, and digital evidence as case proceeds in Monmouth County
Family alleges ignored warnings
Jocelyn Walters died by suicide on Sept. 9, 2022, just days into her sophomore year at Middletown High School North. Her parents, Fred and Solangie Walters, filed the lawsuit in May 2024, claiming the district repeatedly ignored warnings about harassment their daughter faced from classmates.
“The school did nothing but attempt to defend itself, never defended my children,” said father of deceased girl, Fred Walters…