Neighbor who called 11-year-old autistic boy a ‘public nuisance’ ordered to pay $8M after allegedly asking if there was a ‘cure’

A Santa Clara County jury awarded $8 million to an autistic boy and his family after a neighbour’s lawsuit over his backyard noises was dismissed. The family’s lawyers said the verdict found the neighbour had intentionally caused emotional distress, bringing an end to a years-long legal dispute.

The neighbour sued the family and their landlord in December 2023, describing the boy’s sounds as a public nuisance and seeking restrictions on his behaviour. In a cross-complaint, the family said Ezequiel is nonverbal, has Level 3 autism and needs constant supervision; they said he attended school and therapy on weekdays and played with bubbles at home on weekends. The family also alleged the neighbour asked whether there was a cure for his condition. The neighbour’s case was dismissed in September; her lawyer had not responded to a request for comment.