Plaskon Family Settles Lawsuit Over Maren Sanchez Stabbing Death

MILFORD, CT — The mother of Maren Sanchez has worked out a civil settlement with Christopher Plaskon and his parents following the her stabbing murder at Jonathan Law High School in April 2014.

The settlement is pending in probate court and a hearing is scheduled for Sept. 19, according to court documents. Terms of the settlement haven't been disclosed.

Sanchez's mother Donna Sanchez has also sued the city of Milford and the board of education over her daughter's death. The parties are moving to have jury selection start in November 2018. Donna Sanchez declined to comment on the lawsuit.

Sanchez was fatally stabbed in April 2014 after she turned down Plaskon's prom invitation. Plaskon, who was 16 at the time, pleaded no contest to murder. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison but could be out of jail after 13 years. (To sign up for free, local breaking news alerts from more than 100 Connecticut communities click here.)

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Donna Sanchez said she felt the sentence wasn't long enough. The lawsuit against the city alleges that Maren reported to the high school guidance department her concern that Christopher Plaskon was emotionally disturbed and was threatening to commit suicide or acts of serious self-harm by cutting himself with a knife and that she believed it was important for high school personnel to help Plaskon, then 16, to prevent him from engaging in potentially violent conduct dangerous to himself or to others.

According to the lawsuit, Plaskon’s guidance counselor failed to advise the school principal, school security or others in the school administration or the Connecticut Department of Children and Families of Maren’s report in violation of mandatory school policies and state law.

City and school officials have declined to comment on the lawsuit, citing pending litigation.

Image via Maren Sanchez Foundation