Parents sue municipality after 12-year-old dies by suicide following bullying

The parents of Emely Frantzen, who died by suicide at age 12 after prolonged bullying, are suing Sola municipality, alleging the school failed to provide a safe environment for their daughter, Dagbladet reports.

Monica and Bengt Frantzen filed the lawsuit, claiming gross negligence by the municipality led to Emely’s death in 2023. The case began in Stavanger District Court on Monday, with five days allocated for proceedings.

According to the parents’ lawyer, Svein Kjetil Svendsen, the school created 12 action plans to address the bullying, but the measures were ineffective. The Frantzens argue the plans were repetitive and failed to confront the bullies or their parents. Instead, they say, the focus was on changing Emely’s behaviour.

Emely had been diagnosed with receptive language disorder in 2019, a condition affecting language comprehension that requires careful follow-up in school. Despite this, she received no special education support.

The parents claim school officials repeatedly dismissed their concerns, even as warnings of suicidal thoughts emerged. “They never implemented the measures they described,” Bengt Frantzen said. “Everything was directed at Emely changing, not at addressing the bullying.”

Sola municipality denies negligence, asserting it fulfilled its legal obligations. Their lawyer, Frode Lauareid, argued there is no proven link between the school’s actions and Emely’s death. The case will examine whether the municipality met its duty under Norway’s Education Act to ensure a safe school environment.

The Frantzens are seeking compensation, including funeral expenses, and a formal apology from the municipality. “If we don’t win, I won’t understand anything,” Bengt Frantzen said.