Nebraska Family of Boy Who Drowned at School Seeks $1M

The family of a 12-year-old boy who drowned at an Omaha, Neb., school last fall is seeking $1 million from the district.

The Omaha World-Herald reports James Martin Davis submitted a claim to Omaha Public Schools this week on behalf of Demariont’e Brown-Elliott, who died on Nov. 13 at Nathan Hale Middle School. Ten students were being supervised by one teacher during a gym aquatics class when Brown-Elliott was pulled from the pool.

In the claim, Brown-Elliott’s family alleges his death was the “direct and proximate result” of the district’s negligence.

The district has six months to respond. If the deadline passes or the claim is denied, the family can file a lawsuit.

Davis says the family is hoping that sending the claim will prevent future drownings.