The family of Gabriel Palacios, a 13-year-old who took his own life earlier this year, has filed a lawsuit against Coronado Unified School District (CUSD) one month after the district rejected a legal claim that says bullying and harassment at Coronado Middle School were substantial factors leading to his suicide.
Orsolya and Felipe Palacios, Gabriel’s parents who are listed as plaintiffs in the lawsuit, claim the district was negligent and violated state educational code, leading to Gabriel’s death.
The civil complaint was filed after district leaders rejected a formal claim submitted by Gomez Trial Attorneys in September. At the time, district officials issued a statement disputing facts in the claim while expressing sadness about the boy’s death.
According to the court complaint, Gabriel was a neurodivergent seventh-grader with medical diagnoses of Tourette’s syndrome, ADHD, and OCD who was enrolled in an independent education plan (IEP) beginning in 2020.
Like the claim, the lawsuit alleges Gabriel experienced bullying at Coronado Middle School that worsened following a social media incident in February wherein Gabriel inadvertently posted “an image and/or video of himself” nude that got circulated by peers.
The lawsuit also says CUSD had actual knowledge of the substantial risk of harm to Gabriel and consciously disregarded that risk.
“Gabriel suffered severe emotional distress, mental anguish, fear, anxiety, humiliation, and ultimately took his own life,” it continues.
The lawsuit does not specify financial demand amounts.
“We trusted that Gabriel’s school would take care of him and ensure his safety,” said Orsolya in a statement issued by her attorneys on Oct. 6. “He was different, and sometimes that made him a target — but he was kind, bright, and full of love. When the bullying worsened after the video spread, we asked for help, and the school did nothing. Our son deserved better.”
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a hotline for individuals in crisis or for those looking to help someone else. To speak with a trained listener, call 988. Visit 988lifeline.org for more information.
