Sola municipality refuses apology in bullying suicide case

The parents of 12-year-old Emely Frantzen, who died by suicide after severe bullying, are suing Sola municipality, but the local authority refuses to apologise or accept liability for her death, Dagbladet reports.

Monica and Bengt Frantzen claim their daughter faced relentless bullying at Dysjaland School and that the municipality’s failure to act contributed to her death. While the school implemented 12 anti-bullying action plans, the parents argue these were ineffective, overly focused on changing Emely’s behaviour, and ignored their warnings—including explicit alerts about suicidal risk.

Sola municipality, represented by lawyer Frode Lauareid of KS Advokatene, denies negligence. Lauareid stated in court that the school fulfilled its legal obligations under Norway’s Education Act and that the required causal link between the school’s actions and Emely’s death had not been established. He cited a Supreme Court ruling, arguing that the municipality’s measures were not a “necessary condition” for the tragedy.

The case hinges on whether the school’s response met legal standards. The County Governor previously cleared Dysjaland School of direct wrongdoing but noted internal control failures in handling severe bullying. Police later dropped their investigation. Lauareid also referenced a child psychiatry report (BUP) that, according to him, did not flag suicide risk—a claim Bengt Frantzen disputed, stating risk was discussed verbally with clinicians.

In court, Frantzen called the municipality’s defence “ugly reading” and criticised the police decision to close the case, which he called “political.” He described the trauma treatment Emely underwent before her death as evidence of her profound distress. The municipality’s newly appointed school chief, Per Jarle Marsli—hired after Emely’s death—also attended the hearing.

The trial continues in Sør-Rogaland District Court, with the parents seeking compensation and accountability. The municipality maintains it acted lawfully and has ruled out an apology.