Parents Sue Landon School Over Alleged Bullying That Led to Teen’s Tragic Death

Bethesda, Maryland – The family of a 16-year-old student from Landon School in Montgomery County has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the school, alleging that their son’s death in 2022 was the result of bullying. Charlie Schnell’s parents, Dawn and Scott, claim that the school failed to protect their son from bullying and rumors, and neglected to inform them of his vulnerable state.

According to the lawsuit, the parents assert that Landon School lacked a written anti-bullying policy during the 2021-2022 school year, which would have required investigations, anonymous reporting, and parental notification. They argue that Charlie experienced several traumatic events, including the death of a classmate’s father, multiple school shooting threats, a serious concussion, and ongoing bullying and isolation.

In one instance, the parents allege that a teacher read an entry from Charlie’s journal about his turmoil but did not inform them of its contents. They also claim that witnesses witnessed the same teacher “marching on campus” alongside students who expressed anger towards Charlie, and that the school failed to investigate or address these concerns.

Tragically, Charlie left the school on March 15, 2022, and was later found dead by suicide in his home on March 27, 2022. The family contends that the actions and omissions of the Landon School administration directly contributed to Charlie’s pain, suffering, and pre-death terror during his sophomore year.

If found guilty, the family is demanding that Landon School implement a stronger anti-bullying policy and mandatory training for teachers and administrators. They are also calling for a thorough investigation into the allegations of bullying and cyber-bullying against Charlie.

It is important to note that anyone experiencing a mental health crisis is strongly encouraged to reach out to the Suicide and Crisis Hotline at 988.

In summary, the family of Charlie Schnell has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Landon School, accusing the institution of failing to protect their son from bullying, neglecting to inform them of his vulnerable state, and contributing to his tragic fate. They are seeking accountability and reforms to prevent such incidents in the future.