Garcia v. Character Technologies, Inc., et al., No. 6:24-cv-01903 (M.D. Fla.)

Summary

Megan Garcia and Sewell Setzer Jr., for the estate of their 14-year-old son Sewell Setzer III, sued Character Technologies (Character.AI), its founders Noam Shazeer and Daniel De Freitas, and Google in October 2024. They alleged that Character.AI's chatbot drew the teenager into harmful interactions before his death by suicide, and asserted negligence, wrongful death, deceptive trade practices and product liability claims. The parties reached a mediated settlement in principle in January 2026; the court dismissed the case on January 7, 2026, subject to reopening within 90 days. On October 15, 2026, the plaintiffs filed a notice of voluntary dismissal with prejudice, stating the settlement had been executed and all required court approvals received. Terms were not disclosed.

Key dates

1. October 22, 2024Filed
2. October 15, 2026Resolved
3. October 16, 2026Checked against sources
4. October 21, 2026Checked against sources

Developments are added when the record is reviewed. Next review: October 16, 2027.

Evidence

Each passage is quoted from its source. The quoted passages are re-checked against the live pages every month.

1. Parties have agreed to a mediated settlement in principle to resolve all claims between them in the above-referenced matter

   Supports: Settlement in principle, January 2026

   Google and Character.AI to settle suits involving suicides, AI chatbots CNBC Reporting or analysis

2. A January 7 court filing in Garcia’s case shows the agreement was reached with Character.AI, Character.AI founders Noam Shazeer and Daniel De Freitas, and Google, who were also named as defendants in the case.

   Supports: Settling defendants; date of filing

   Character.AI and Google agree to settle lawsuits over teen mental health harms and suicides CNN Business Reporting or analysis

3. The Court has been advised by counsel for both parties that the above-styled action has been settled.

   Supports: Settlement; order dated January 7, 2026

   Order, Dkt. 244, No. 6:24-cv-01903 (M.D. Fla.) U.S. District Court, M.D. Fla. (via RECAP) Primary source

4. This notice follows the parties' execution of their settlement agreement and receipt of all required court approvals

   Supports: Final dismissal with prejudice, filed 10/15/26

   Plaintiffs' Notice of Voluntary Dismissal With Prejudice, Dkt. 278, No. 6:24-cv-01903 (M.D. Fla.) U.S. District Court, M.D. Fla. (via RECAP) Primary source

5. Case 6:24-cv-01903-ACC-EJK Document 1 Filed 10/22/24

   Supports: Filing date

   Complaint, Dkt. 1, No. 6:24-cv-01903 (M.D. Fla.) U.S. District Court, M.D. Fla. (via RECAP) Primary source