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GERHARDSTEIN & BRANCH

A LEGAL PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION

441 VINE STREET SUITE 3400

CINCINNATI, OHIO 45202
(513) 621-9100
FAX (513) 345-5543

GABRIEL “GABE” TAYE’S PARENTS GRATEFUL APPELLATE COURT

ALLOWS CASE TO PROCEED TO TRIAL

Contact: Jennifer L. Branch, Spokesperson: 513.535.4123 (cell)

December 29, 2020. Cincinnati, Ohio. After over two years on appeal, today the U.S. Sixth Circuit
Court of Appeals denied Cincinnati Public Schools’ appeal. CPS had appealed U.S. District Court Judge
Timothy S. Black’s ruling allowing Gabriel Taye’s parents’ civil rights and wrongful death case against CPS to
go forward. Gabe’s parents are frustrated CPS’s appeal delayed the case but are eager to bring the facts of what
happened to Gabe to a jury.

In January 2017, Gabe, who was eight years old and a third grade student at Carson Elementary School,
committed suicide after being bullied at school. The parents’ lawsuit claims the school principal and assistant
principal knew of the bullying Gabe faced at Carson and kept it from his parents. Without their own
investigation after his death, his parents would never have learned that two days before Gabe died he was
attacked by a student and left unconscious on the bathroom floor for over seven minutes while students taunted
and kicked him. Had his parents been notified of what happened they would have removed him from Carson
immediately. But CPS concealed the attack in the bathroom, as well as other evidence that Gabe was bullied at
Carson. Because CPS hid the truth, Gabe returned to school where he was again bullied in the same bathroom.
Soon after he came home from school that final day, he hung himself.

“The Court read the complaint and ruled it should not be dismissed, despite CPS’s gross
mischaracterization of the facts in the complaint. The Court stated that the falsifying of bullying that occurred
prevented Gabe’s parents from fully understanding Gabe’s ‘horrifying experience at Carson Elementary until it
was too late.’ It is not too late for Gabe’s family to seek justice, not just for Gabe, but for all children who may
be bullied at CPS schools. The truth about what happened to Gabe at Carson Elementary needs to be revealed
and shared with all parents. We have been able to gather testimony and evidence these last few months. Now
we can proceed to trial.” said Jennifer L. Branch, lead attorney for Gabriel’s mother, Cornelia Reynolds.

“Since 2017, we have committed our resources, our time, our minds and hearts to bring justice to Gabe,
an 8 year old victim of vicious bullying. Thanks to the non-stop efforts of this legal team, in there may be a day
when children, who as victims of bullies had no place to turn, can turn to the courts for much needed relief,”
said Michele Young, attorney for the estate and Gabriel Taye’s father, Benyam Taye.

Gabriel’s mother, Cornelia Reynolds represented by Gabe’s father, Benyam Taye, is represented by
Jennifer Branch of Gerhardstein and Branch 513-535- Michele Young of Gregory S. Young Co., LPA.
4123. 513-721-1077

Gabriel’s mother, Cornelia Reynolds is also represented

by Carla Loon Leader of The Law Office of Carla Loon
Leader. 513-502-3299.
A photograph of Gabriel “Gabe” Taye from second grade (2016) is attached.
If you or someone you know needs help, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-
TALK (8255) or get more information on their website, suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

Taye is pronounced “tie-ay”

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