Mary Etta Sephus filed the lawsuit Oct. 19 in her own name and on behalf of her son’s estate and heirs. The defendants are Manor ISD, the Texas Education Agency and Education Commissioner Mike Morath. The family is seeking damages for Loving’s suffering, medical and funeral costs, Sephus’ mental anguish and loss of companionship, and legal fees.

Loving died at school on Oct. 29, 2024. Court documents say a school resource officer heard students yelling that another student, Mac Brown Mbanwei, had a knife. The officer found Mbanwei with his hands in his pockets; during a struggle, officers recovered a kitchen knife. Loving was found with multiple stab wounds and died at the scene. The documents say surveillance video indicates the incident began in a boys’ bathroom.

Authorities charged Mbanwei with murder. A judge later ordered a mental health evaluation, and Mbanwei was found incompetent to stand trial.

Sephus’ complaint alleges her son had cognitive and physical disabilities, had difficulty communicating and needed close supervision, including when using the bathroom. She says she repeatedly alerted school staff that he was being bullied and needed additional support. The suit also describes an alleged assault during Loving’s junior year, when his belongings were taken on a school bus and he was beaten, leaving his face swollen. Sephus alleges she sought help from the superintendent’s office but did not receive a response to her concerns.

The complaint further alleges school officials knew Mbanwei had a history of behavioral outbursts and bullying, including behavior directed at Loving. It says staff confiscated a screwdriver from Mbanwei in fall 2024 but did not discipline him. The allegations have not been adjudicated.

The lawsuit also links district safety concerns to school funding. It alleges Manor ISD faced financial pressure and sent nearly $2 million to the state for the 2024-25 school year under Texas’ school-funding recapture system. According to the complaint, budget constraints contributed to staffing cuts and delayed security improvements, while the state failed to provide sufficient funding for safety needs, particularly for students with disabilities. The suit also alleges inadequate staff training and supervision.

Manor ISD had been asked for comment, but no response was included in the information available at publication. The lawsuit’s claims against the district and state officials remain allegations.