$3M expected to be paid by Ohio School District to family of 8-year-old who committed suicide

8-year-old Gabriel Taye. Photo: Cornelia TlReynolds, AP File.

The family of an 8-year-old boy who was bullied repeatedly in school are expected to get $3 Million. The 8-year-old committed suicide due to the repeated bullying he endured at school.

The family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Cincinnati Public Schools in 2017 after the 3rd grader, Gabriel Taye, took his own life on January 26, 2017.

The Family and CPS announced the decision if the $3M settlement agreement during a press conference. The full vote will happen on June 7, 2021 by the CPS Board of Education to approve the settlement.

Aaron Herzig is lead outside counsel for CPS.

“The defendants strongly believe that neither CPS, its employees, nor the school nurse were responsible for the tragic death of Gabriel Taye. CPS does embrace the elimination of bullying within schools, as well as continuing to refine and improve reporting, management, and training processes related to incidents of bullying," he said.

Attorneys said a student knocked Gabriel unconscious in the boy's restroom on Jan. 24, 2017, which was caught on a school surveillance camera. In that incident Gabriel spent "more than seven minutes unconscious on the floor while students repeatedly taunted and kicked him," according to the lawsuit. Two days later students bullied him again in the bathroom and after school he went home and hanged himself the same day, per the lawsuit.

Gabriel Taye pictured as a second grader. Photo: Cornellia Reynolds, AP File

Gabriel's parents contended that school officials knew about the bullying but were "deliberately indifferent," and withheld information about the bullying he suffered from them, while allowing for a "treacherous school environment."

Cincinnati Public Schools released a statement in response to the 2017 lawsuit saying, "As we have stated previously pertaining to Gabriel's passing, our hearts are broken by the loss of this child, and our thoughts are with his parents and extended family. He was an outstanding young man, and this is a great loss for his family and our school community."

Prosecutors investigated Gabriel's death. The investigation was closed without charges. The coroner ruled his death a suicide.

If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide or worried about a friend or loved one help is available. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 [TALK] - for free confidential emotional support 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Even if it feels like it – you are not alone.