MOSS POINT, Miss. (AP) — A family is suing a school district and board, saying their child died after being bullied over his religious beliefs and appearance.

The Sun Herald (http://bit.ly/1WUA2bY) reports Dominic Malone and Lakenisa Nobles, the parents of the 12-year-old boy, filed the lawsuit Nov. 6. They claim Moss Point school officials failed to protect their son.

The lawsuit says the boy died March 7, 2014, a day after one or more boys bullied him because he was religious and because of his appearance.

They say the child collapsed on the floor and died the next day at a hospital. The lawsuit states he suffered “injuries sufficient to trigger the onset of a fatal health crisis involving his heart.”

Scott Corlew, the attorney for the school board, would not comment on pending litigation.

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