The case involved a 15-year-old special education student who choked on a rubber glove during a school day in 2023.
HOUSTON, Texas — A Texas school district has settled a lawsuit brought by the parents of a 15-year-old special education student who died after choking on a rubber glove at school in 2023, closing a legal case that raised questions about supervision and emergency response procedures.
Spring Branch Independent School District confirmed the settlement in May after the family of the student alleged school employees failed to properly monitor their son and delayed life-saving aid when he showed signs of distress. The student attended Stratford High School and had autism and Williams Beuren deletion syndrome. Settlement terms were not disclosed, and district officials said they continued to deny wrongdoing.
The incident occurred on Feb. 6, 2023, during the school day at Stratford High School in northwest Harris County. According to court filings, the student had access to small objects and rubber gloves while on campus. His parents alleged that school staff knew he had a history of placing objects in his mouth and required close supervision because of that behavior. The lawsuit claimed the teenager appeared to be in visible distress while in a gym class area but did not receive immediate assistance. Family attorneys argued that school employees failed to recognize the seriousness of the situation until the student collapsed. Once he fell unconscious, staff members began responding to the emergency and medical personnel were eventually called. The student was transported to a hospital, where doctors later determined he had suffered catastrophic injuries related to oxygen deprivation.
The lawsuit alleged that two employees who were certified in CPR were present in the gym area when the emergency unfolded. The family claimed those employees did not immediately begin life-saving measures after the student collapsed. Court documents cited by the family stated that aid was not administered until a school nurse arrived with emergency equipment, including a defibrillator. The student was declared brain dead two days later. His parents argued that faster intervention could have changed the outcome, while the district disputed allegations that its employees acted negligently. District officials maintained throughout the litigation that they followed appropriate procedures and emphasized that a court dismissed several of the family’s claims before the settlement was reached. The district said it agreed to resolve the case without admitting liability.
The case drew attention because it involved a student receiving special education services and centered on questions about individualized supervision plans for students with developmental disabilities. Families of students with significant medical or behavioral needs often rely on schools to implement accommodations designed to address known risks. In this case, the parents alleged that school personnel were aware of their son’s tendency to place non-food objects in his mouth and therefore should have taken additional precautions. The student’s diagnoses included autism and Williams Beuren deletion syndrome, a rare genetic condition that can affect cognitive development and medical health. Legal filings focused on whether school staff adequately monitored the student throughout the day and whether established safety measures were followed. The district consistently denied that its actions caused the student’s death.
The legal dispute continued for more than three years after the student’s death. The parents sought compensatory damages and alleged negligence in supervision, monitoring and emergency response. Court records show the case was dismissed on May 19, 2026, following the settlement agreement. Neither side publicly disclosed financial terms or other conditions. In a statement, district officials said they would not provide additional details out of respect for the family’s privacy. The settlement ends the civil litigation, though it does not resolve broader questions raised by advocates about emergency preparedness and supervision standards for students with complex disabilities. No criminal charges were filed in connection with the incident, and no public disciplinary actions against school employees have been announced.
The tragedy left a lasting impact on the student’s family and the school community. Supporters described the teenager as a young person with unique needs whose death highlighted the challenges schools face when caring for vulnerable students. Family members argued throughout the case that the incident was preventable and that earlier intervention might have saved his life. District leaders expressed sympathy for the family while continuing to reject allegations of negligence. The contrasting positions remained in place even as settlement discussions moved forward. Public records released during the litigation provided a detailed timeline of the emergency response, but some questions about exactly what individual staff members observed and when they recognized the danger remain unresolved.
The case now stands closed following the settlement. While the terms remain confidential, the resolution concludes one of the most closely watched education-related lawsuits in the Houston area arising from the death of a student with disabilities.
Author note: Last updated June 2, 2026.