Woman accused of bullying teen will go to trial in July

A former Dairy Queen manager accused of harassing a teenager is scheduled to go to trial July 29.

Harley Branham appeared in a Howard County courtroom Friday. She faces charges of aggravated stalking, harassment and assault. She was originally charged with manslaughter, but that charge was later dropped.

Branham is accused of bullying 17-year-old Kenneth Suttner when he worked at Dairy Queen. Prosecutors said the bullying eventually contributed to his suicide in 2016.

Branham’s attorneys filed a motion Thursday requesting data and information from Suttner’s cell phone and any reports law enforcement made regarding the phone.

Prosecutor April Wilson said the cell phone could contain key information and could be used in the upcoming trial.

Angela Suttner, Kenneth Suttner’s mother, told ABC 17 News she trusts the prosecutor.

“We have complete Faith in April Wilson that Justice for Kenny will happen and we support her 100%,” Angela Suttner said in a statement via email.

The charges came from a coroner’s inquest. Howard County Coroner Frank Flaspohler looked into bullying policies in schools and said he found most schools with anti-bullying policies didn’t necessarily enforce them.

Angela Suttner, Kenneth Suttner’s mother, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Glasgow Public Schools. She said students and some employees bullied, harassed and discriminated against her son for his mental and physical disabilities which pushed him to commit suicide.

The lawsuit, which is still pending, was originally filed in Howard County but was moved to Boone County court in December.

The school district filed a motion to dismiss the suit in November.