A mother in suburban New Orleans has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Roman Catholic archdiocese, alleging negligence after her 17-year-old son died by suicide hours after being expelled from a Catholic high school.
Sara Brannon claims that Rummel High School in Metairie, Louisiana, failed in its duty of care towards her son, Devon Shelton. The lawsuit, submitted in state court on Tuesday, contends that the school's handling of an incident involving a shoving match with a bully led to his expulsion and subsequent death.
According to the lawsuit, Shelton was expelled on 17 March 2025 after reporting a shoving match during a St Patrick's Day parade. School officials accused him of starting a fight and cited a prior incident where he smelled of alcohol. The school was aware that Shelton had expressed suicidal ideation in the past and had required counselling during his freshman year.
After the expulsion, Brannon drove Shelton to the home of his former stepfather, Rick Ford. While there, Shelton locked himself in a bathroom and died by suicide using a weapon Ford had hidden. Ford and his nephew broke down the door after hearing a strange noise.
The lawsuit argues that Rummel did not follow its own student handbook on expulsion and bullying, and failed to provide Shelton with any support after the expulsion, such as allowing him to complete the school year virtually. It seeks damages for mental anguish and physical pain and suffering.
The archdiocese declined to comment on the pending litigation, stating in a statement: 'We hold Devon's family and friends, particularly his parents, in prayer.'
