NORTH VERNON, Ind. (WDRB) — An 11-year-old girl’s parents are suing a southern Indiana school district, alleging severe bullying and sexual abuse at school pushed their daughter to take her own life.

Fifth grader Brooklyn Cook’s parents said administrators at the Jennings County School Corporation knew what was happening and failed to stop it.

Cook was often found at the Jennings County Animal Shelter, saving up her hard-earned money to feed stray cats. After the 11-year-old died by suicide last February, a memorial now stands outside the shelter with her name on it.

“A beautiful little girl and a family that just loved her tremendously,” said Gregory Laker, who is representing the family in their wrongful death lawsuit against the school district and several staff members.

According to the lawsuit, the problem started when Cook was in fourth grade at North Vernon Elementary School, where two male students bullied her. After it was reported to administrators, the boys were removed from her class.

The lawsuit claims those same students were placed back in her classroom during fifth grade after a change in principals.

Several of Cook’s friends told a guidance counselor the boys told her to kill herself, showing them messages one of the students sent to her.

“Her friends felt like they were being disciplined every time they came forward and reported the bullying on Brooklyn’s behalf,” Laker said.

Months before her death, Cook posted a TikTok in which she said she did not want to be sexually assaulted at school anymore. An assistant teacher reported the video to administrators.

The lawsuit claims that despite the video and the reports from her friends, the boys were never removed from her classroom or disciplined, even as the bullying continued almost daily during her fifth grade year. 

Cook then lost her life to suicide Feb. 17, 2025.

“The hardest thing in the world is burying your own child,” said Laker. “They had to do that with their 11-year-old daughter. Her brother lost, by all reports, his best friend in Brooklyn.”

In a statement, JCSC Superintendent Nicole Johnson said “Jennings County School Corporation is aware of the lawsuit. We strongly deny the allegations and will have no further comment on this pending legal matter at this time.”

The family contends the district’s response was insufficient and contributed to their daughter’s death.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health and thoughts of self harm, the 988 crisis and suicide lifeline is available 24/7. 

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INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Beech Grove Police Chief Michael Maurice fought back tears as he remembered the life and service of Officer Brian Elliott during a celebration of life on Monday at Beech Grove High School.

Elliott, 33, was fatally shot while responding to a domestic disturbance at a Beech Grove apartment complex on Monday, Feb. 16.

He was “the best of the best, and that’s why he was a Beech Grove police officer,” Maurice told the crowd of mourners gathered at Beech Grove High School.

“Brian came to us after serving six years with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. When we hired Brian, he already possessed the characteristics we expect officers to display–he was going to fit right in because he was the very best.”

Maurice praised Elliott and his partner, who was wounded during the shooting that took Elliott’s life. “They were everything we want and expect our officers to be — fearless, compassionate, eager, community-oriented, selfless with others, able to act valiantly in high-stress situations.”

In closing, Maurice said, “Officer Brian Elliott, it was an honor to serve alongside you. We will continue to carry on your sacrifice from here.”

At the conclusion of Monday’s funeral services, a procession will take Elliott to Crown Hill Cemetery, where he will be laid to rest.

Khris Middleton scored 25 points and P.J. Washington added 23 to lead the Dallas Mavericks over the Indiana Pacers 134-130 on Sunday, snapping a 10-game losing streak.

Middleton also had seven rebounds and seven assists and was one of six Mavs players to score in double figures. Washington grabbed nine boards, and Marvin Bagley III had 12 points and 11 rebounds. Dallas ended its longest slide since skids of 10 and 15 games in 1997-98, and won for the first time since Jan. 22 against Golden State.

All-Star forward Pascal Siakam returned from a three-game absence and led the Pacers with 30 points while grabbing eight rebounds. Andrew Nembhard had 22 points and 11 assists. Jarace Walker added 18 points, nine rebounds and six assists.

Kobe Brown scored a career-high 15 as Indiana fell to 0-3 since the All-Star break, losing its first home game since Feb. 3 — the longest stretch between home games in the franchise’s NBA history.

The Pacers played without Aaron Nesmith, recently acquired Ivica Zubac and T.J. McConnell because of injuries, and coach Rick Carlisle said before tip-off that injured All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton is also now suffering from shingles. Dallas rookie Cooper Flagg also sat out for the third straight game with a sprained left foot, missing his only appearance in Indianapolis this season.

Dallas led most of the game but struggled to put this one away.

The Mavs led 36-33 after one quarter, 71-66 at halftime and then used a 12-3 third-quarter run to take a 94-84 lead. Indiana closed to 117-114 midway through the fourth but never regained the lead.

Up next

Mavericks: Will try to win their second straight Tuesday at Brooklyn.

Pacers: Hope to get their first post-break win Tuesday when they host the 76ers.