Federal authorities have announced an investigation into allegations of bullying following the tragic death of Nex Benedict, a non-binary teen, at a high school in Owasso, Oklahoma. The US Department of Education revealed on Friday that it is looking into whether the Owasso public schools failed to properly address alleged harassment, potentially violating federal law.

The investigation comes in response to a complaint brought forward by Kelley Robinson, president of LGBTQ+ rights group Human Rights Campaign (HRC). The complaint claims that the school district had knowledge of sex-based harassment at the high school, including instances of bullying, violence, and harassment, but failed to respond adequately, leading to discrimination.

The circumstances surrounding Benedict's death on February 8th remain unclear. The 16-year-old student informed family and friends about a bathroom fight with classmates the day before their passing. Benedict's guardian and biological grandmother, Sue Benedict, revealed that her grandchild had been severely beaten by three older girls. She expressed shock over the extent of the bullying, stating, "I didn't know how bad it had gotten."

Authorities have not disclosed the exact cause of Benedict's death, but preliminary autopsy findings indicate that it was unrelated to trauma. In light of the investigation, the Department of Education is examining Owasso public schools' compliance with Title IX sex-based discrimination protections and Title II disability discrimination protections.

In response to the federal investigation, the school district issued a statement expressing their commitment to cooperate with officials. Brock Crawford, spokesperson for the Owasso public schools, stated that they believe HRC's complaint lacks factual support and merit.

The tragic death of Benedict has brought renewed attention to the pervasive issue of school bullying. Recently released body camera footage from Owasso police shows an officer speaking with the Benedicts while they were in the hospital. Benedict shared their account of the bathroom fight, explaining that it escalated after derogatory comments were made about them and their friends. The confrontation culminated in physical violence, with Benedict being thrown to the floor and beaten up.

Various students and a faculty member intervened to break up the fight, according to the police. Benedict's family has expressed concern about the details surrounding the incident and has called for a comprehensive investigation, with hopes that it would lead to meaningful change in how bullying is addressed.

Representative Mark Pocan, Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus, emphasized the importance of the investigation, stating that it is a crucial step toward ensuring that all students in the Owasso Public Schools can learn in an environment free from discrimination and harassment.

As the investigation unfolds, federal authorities will delve further into the allegations of bullying and assess the school district's response to incidents of harassment. The focus is on creating a safer and more inclusive educational environment for every student at the school.