Nearly four years have passed since the heartbreaking incident involving 13-year-old Diego Stolz, who was bullied and fatally attacked by classmates. This case has drawn national attention, shedding light on the severe consequences of bullying in schools. Diego's family recently reached a $27 million settlement with the Moreno Valley Unified School District, marking a significant moment in the fight against school bullying.
This tragic story highlights the urgent need for effective anti-bullying policies and practices within educational institutions. Diego Stolz was not only a victim of bullying but also a young boy who had suffered for years before this devastating event occurred. This situation raises important questions about the responsibilities of schools and the measures they take to protect their students.
The settlement reached by Diego's family is the largest of its kind in the United States, a stark reminder of the impact of bullying and the need for systemic change. As we explore this story, it becomes clear that while financial compensation can never replace the loss of a child, it can serve as a catalyst for change and awareness.
Nearly four years after 13-year-old Diego Stolz was bullied, beaten and fatally injured in an attack by two classmates, his family reached a $27-million settlement with the Moreno Valley Unified School District.
Attorneys for Diego’s aunt and uncle, Juana and Felipe Salcedo, said Wednesday that the settlement of the wrongful death lawsuit filed in October 2019 against the school district was a “very bittersweet” victory. The Salcedos — who raised Diego as his legal guardians — say they had complained about bullying to school officials for at least a year before he was killed, and had received anti-bullying literature from district officials.
“This is the largest [bullying] settlement in the United States,” Dave Ring, an attorney for Los Angeles-based Taylor & Ring trial law firm, said Wednesday morning. “Yet, the family would give all the money back to have their baby, the youngest kid back.”
A district spokesperson directed all questions to the school district’s lawyer, Michael Marlatt, who said the “tragic facts and circumstances surrounding [Diego] Stolz’s death” led the district to settle, noting that mounting a defense
