The case centered on the 2023 death of a 15-year-old student who choked on a rubber glove at a Houston-area high school.
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 piece of a rubber glove at school, ending a case that alleged staff failed to properly supervise the teen and delayed lifesaving intervention.
The settlement resolves claims filed against Spring Branch Independent School District and a speech-language pathology assistant following the February 2023 death of Sebastian Romo, a Stratford High School student with severe autism and Williams-Beuren Deletion Syndrome. His parents alleged school personnel knew of his history of placing objects in his mouth but failed to prevent access to dangerous materials or respond quickly when he showed signs of distress. The district denied wrongdoing and said most claims against it had been dismissed before the settlement was reached.
According to court filings, Sebastian required close supervision because of developmental disabilities and a documented history of ingesting nonfood items. His parents said school officials had long been aware of the risks. The lawsuit described earlier incidents in which he allegedly swallowed objects including tissue paper and a binder clip, one episode severe enough to require hospitalization and intubation. On Feb. 6, 2023, Sebastian attended classes at Stratford High School before allegedly obtaining a rubber glove or a piece of one after lunch. The complaint said he later entered the gymnasium and began experiencing distress. Attorneys for the family alleged surveillance video showed the teenager stumbling, falling, crawling on his knees and repeatedly bringing his hands to his mouth. The complaint stated that no staff member intervened during that period despite visible signs that something was wrong.
The lawsuit focused heavily on supervision practices within the school’s special education program. Sebastian’s parents alleged he spent portions of the school day isolated in a makeshift enclosed area and was not consistently provided with sensory tools designed to reduce chewing behaviors. They claimed rubber gloves and other potentially ingestible items remained accessible in classrooms and surrounding areas despite known risks. One staff member named in the lawsuit, a speech-language pathology assistant assigned to the campus through a contractor, was accused of being distracted by her cellphone while Sebastian was nearby. The complaint alleged she did not notice the situation until he fell near another student. By that point, according to the family’s filing, Sebastian had stopped breathing, lost consciousness and turned blue. The lawsuit further alleged that no immediate CPR, Heimlich maneuver or other lifesaving measures were attempted before additional medical personnel arrived. Those allegations were not proven in court, and the case concluded through settlement rather than trial.
The case drew attention because it involved a student with complex disabilities and a documented need for close monitoring. Williams-Beuren Deletion Syndrome is a rare genetic condition that can affect development, behavior and cognitive functioning. Combined with Sebastian’s severe autism, his parents said the condition left him with limited self-help skills and heightened vulnerability. Their lawsuit argued that years of warnings, prior incidents and known behavioral patterns should have prompted stronger safeguards. Attorneys for the family contended that formal procedures should have governed the use and disposal of rubber gloves within the special education environment. They also argued that individualized accommodations, including enhanced supervision and access to alternative chewing devices, could have reduced the risk of a fatal incident. The district disputed liability and maintained that it did not act negligently in connection with Sebastian’s death.
Legal proceedings continued for more than a year after the lawsuit was filed in February 2025. Court records show the parties ultimately reached a settlement in May 2026. The agreement’s financial terms were not publicly disclosed. The district said the settlement should not be interpreted as an admission of wrongdoing and emphasized that most claims had already been dismissed by the court. After the agreement was finalized, the case was dismissed. Because the dispute ended through settlement, many factual allegations contained in the complaint were never tested before a jury. Public records released so far do not indicate that any criminal charges were filed in connection with the incident. Questions about internal policy changes, staff discipline and future supervision practices have not been fully answered in publicly available court documents.
Sebastian’s death generated emotional reactions from disability advocates, educators and community members who followed the case. Supporters described him as a teenager facing significant challenges who depended on adults around him for protection and care. The allegations in the lawsuit raised broader concerns about staffing levels, supervision standards and safety procedures for students with intensive support needs. At the center of the case remained the final minutes before Sebastian collapsed. His parents argued those moments reflected a series of preventable failures rather than an unavoidable tragedy. School officials, while expressing sympathy for the family, maintained their position that the district was not legally responsible for the outcome. The settlement brought the litigation to a close but left unresolved disagreements over exactly how the events unfolded and whether additional safeguards could have prevented the teenager’s death.
The case now stands closed following the May 2026 settlement and dismissal. While the terms remain confidential, the resolution ends the civil lawsuit arising from Sebastian Romo’s death. No further court proceedings have been announced, and district officials have said they do not plan additional public comment on the matter.
Author note: Last updated June 1, 2026.