Oklahoma's Own In Focus: Investigation Into The Death Of An Owasso High School Student

News On 6 has been asked why we haven't reported more on the death of an Owasso High School student.

We did report on the student's death when it happened and on the student's funeral, but we have not reported rumors.

We are waiting for confirmed facts, and the autopsy results could take weeks to months, and toxicology results could take even longer than that.

We have new statements on Tuesday from Owasso Schools, Owasso Police, and the student's mother.

Related: Family Issues Statement About Owasso Student's Identity; Cause Of Death Still To Be Determined

What has Owasso Schools and the police said about the investigation?

16-year-old Nex Benedict died two weeks ago.

Owasso Public Schools confirms there was an altercation in a high school bathroom on February 7. 

The school says it was broken up less than two minutes by other students and a staff member. 

They say everyone involved walked to the principal's office and nurse's office.

They say each student was given a health assessment by a school nurse, and the school called all the parents and let them know they could file police reports, and School Resource Officers were also available.

School leaders say they determined none of the students needed to be taken to a hospital by ambulance.

Benedict's parent did call the police later that day from the hospital, wanting to make a report.

Police say Benedict was released from the hospital that day but was rushed back the next day and died.

Lots of social media reports say Benedict was murdered or killed because of the altercation, but that is not confirmed.

The medical examiner will determine the cause and manner of death, and that could take months.

Police are investigating and will turn over their reports to the district attorney's office, who will decide what, if any, charges are to be filed.

What has been the response to the investigation?

Owasso Schools says, "Any notion the district has ignored disciplinary action toward those involved is simply untrue."

The ACLU of Oklahoma also released a statement, saying the assault is an inevitable result of the hateful rhetoric and discriminatory legislation targeting Oklahoma trans youth.

The statement also called for a thorough, open investigation of what it calls "reports that the school failed to respond appropriately to the altercation."

However, there has been no evidence released to the public saying Benedict was targeted for being a trans youth.

Owasso Public Schools says it did follow protocol, and all students involved were evaluated by a nurse, and it was determined no ambulances needed to be called, but the school recommended to the parents of one student to take their student to a medical facility for further examination.

What has the student's family said?

There had been some confusion and questions about the student's name since the family used the student's birth name in the obituary.

The student's mother, Sue Benedict, released a statement on Tuesday that says:

We are sorry for not using their name correctly and as parents, we were still learning the correct forms.

Please do not judge us as Nex was judged, please do not bully us for our ignorance on the subject.

Nex gave us that respect and we are sorry in our grief that we overlooked them.

I lost my child, the headstone will have correct name of their choice.

Owasso Public Schools says additional counselors have been available for any student, faculty or staff member who needs help since Friday the 9th.

Anyone in a crisis situation can call these numbers for immediate help:

1. Family and Children’s Services: 918-744-4800
2. Parkside Psychiatric Hospital and Clinic: 918-588-8888
3. Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988