Providence, R.I. — In a significant legal decision, a Rhode Island jury awarded $5.4 million to the family of a 15-year-old boy who took his own life after alleged pressure and neglect from his high school football coach and school administrators. Nathan Bruno, a student at Portsmouth High School, died by suicide in 2018 following a period where he was reportedly coerced by his coach to identify students behind harassing messages directed at the coach.
This verdict, reached on Wednesday, pinpointed the culpability on former football coach Ryan Moniz, establishing his actions as both negligent and directly linked to Bruno’s tragic death. As a result, Moniz is held accountable for the substantial financial compensation, payable by the school district.
Nathan’s ordeal began when Moniz allegedly demanded that he disclose the identities of peers involved in sending the coach harassing texts and calls. It was claimed that Moniz had even mobilized team members to exert pressure on Bruno to extract this information.
The subsequent legal action taken by Bruno’s family accused not only the coach but also several key figures within the school administration and the town of Portsmouth of failing their obligations to Bruno. They reportedly neglected to notify Bruno’s parents of a police investigation that implicated him and inappropriately changed his physical education class without parental notification, culminating in increased distress for the teenager.
Adding another layer to the case, Detective Derek Carlino of the Jamestown Police, who was involved in investigating the complaint filed by Moniz, was also accused in the lawsuit. Carlino allegedly shared confidential police details about Bruno with the coach. Both a former principal and assistant principal at the high school were found negligent by the jury.
This case underscores the immense pressure and challenges faced by students and highlights the responsibilities of school personnel. In response to this tragic event, Rhode Island legislators enacted a law in 2021 mandating that all public school districts establish suicide prevention policies and conduct training in suicide awareness and prevention.
The case has drawn attention to the crucial roles educators and administrators play in safeguarding students’ well-being. Legal representatives of all parties involved expressed their positions, acknowledging respect for the judicial process while pointing out ongoing legal considerations that may affect the final outcome, including possible appeals to higher courts.
This is not an isolated incident of a school district facing legal repercussions following a student suicide. In a similar scenario earlier this year, a Utah school district settled for $2 million with the family of a Black, autistic 10-year-old girl who also took her life after being bullied by classmates.
The award of $3.1 million, compounded by interest accrued since the incident, culminated in the $5.4 million payout to Bruno’s family, further emphasizing the significant impact and consequences of the actions or inactions of educational professionals on students’ lives.
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