News Summary
The family of a 13-year-old boy, Gabriel Palacios, has filed a legal claim against the Coronado Unified School District, alleging negligence in addressing cyberbullying that contributed to his tragic suicide. Gabriel, who struggled with Tourette’s syndrome, faced relentless bullying after an accidental video was shared among classmates. The family claims the school failed to take appropriate action despite being notified. They seek justice and hope to inspire systemic changes in how bullying is handled in schools, citing a failure to protect their son and the need for better interventions for vulnerable students.
Coronado, California – The family of a 13-year-old boy, Gabriel Palacios, has filed a legal claim against the Coronado Unified School District following his tragic suicide this past year, alleging that the school failed to adequately address incidents of cyberbullying. Gabriel would have started the eighth grade this fall, but instead, his mother, Orsolya Mezei, is now fighting for changes in memory of her son.
Gabriel was described by his family as “beautiful, smart, fun, and, above all, kind and loving.” Affected by Tourette’s syndrome, he became a target for bullying both in school and online. His family’s attorney, John Gomez, claims that the bullying escalated when a nude video of Gabriel, which he had accidentally sent to his Snapchat contacts, was shared among classmates. Although Gabriel attempted to delete the video immediately, it had already been saved by another student who later threatened to circulate it.
The family asserts that they notified school officials about the incident and provided the name of the student involved. However, they allege that school leaders only questioned the student, who denied any knowledge of the video. No further action was taken by the school to prevent the video from spreading or to investigate the bullying claims adequately. According to Gomez, the school not only neglected to protect Gabriel but also imposed improper disciplinary measures as a result of misunderstandings related to his Individualized Education Program (IEP).
Gomez contends that school officials violated the law by failing to address the bullying and for incorrectly disciplining Gabriel, particularly noting that the school was aware of the deterioration in his emotional state. The family reports that Gabriel was regularly eating lunch in the counselor’s office to avoid potential bullying and even saw his spirit and confidence decline sharply due to the adverse environment.
In light of these circumstances, the Coronado Unified School District acknowledged the legal matter but stated they could not comment further due to their ongoing litigation policy. The president of the Coronado Middle School Parent Teacher Organization, Mercedes Smith, recognized the failure to protect Gabriel and his family, highlighting the need for better measures against bullying in schools.
Gabriel’s family hopes that their legal actions will promote change in how bullying is addressed within educational institutions. Should the school district deny the legal claim, the family plans to pursue a lawsuit. They characterize Gabriel’s suicide as a direct consequence of repeated bullying from other students and a lack of effective intervention from school authorities.
The legal process is expected to take over a year before reaching trial, with the family focused on seeking justice and advocating for policy changes to enhance the school environment for all students. This case shines a poignant light on the critical issue of bullying in schools and the imperative need for institutions to take proactive measures in safeguarding their students.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Lawsuit Filed Against Coronado School District After Student’s Suicide
Family Files Complaint Against School District After Student’s Suicide
Officer Grace Del Bagno Named Coronado’s Employee of the Year
Additional Resources
- NBC San Diego: Family of Teen Who Died by Suicide Files Claim Against Coronado Unified School District
- People: Seventh Grader Died by Suicide, Family Says School Didn’t Protect Him
- Times of San Diego: Family Accuses Coronado School of Ignoring Bullying of Boy Before Suicide
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Bullying
- CBS 8: Family Files Lawsuit Against Coronado Unified Over Son’s Bullying Death
Author: STAFF HERE CORONADO
The Coronado Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HERECoronado.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Coronado, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Coronado Island Film Festival, productions at Lamb’s Players Theatre, community workshops at John D. Spreckels Center, and iconic celebrations at Hotel del Coronado. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Coronado Chamber of Commerce and Visit Coronado, plus leading businesses in hospitality, dining, and tourism that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERESanDiego.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, and HERELosAngeles.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
