Just heard the mother on the radio, TJ (which is why I searched for the story online).
Basically, a teacher at a Special Needs school wore a very expensive flimsy piece of jeweller to work in an environment where there’s a high likelihood of children lashing out. The child did not intend to break the necklace, but just lashed out. The necklace wasn’t even visible as the teacher was apparently wearing a polo-necked top.
That someone can demand payment for something like that, considering the context and issues involved, from people who aren’t at all wealthy, is a joke. The family have paid up for fear of being taken to court (if they lost it would cost a lot more), but tbh I hope someone with some sense in the education system/LA takes the teachers to task over this. Petty and vindictive, and the real victim in this is the child. It’s just callous and nasty.
What should happen, is that any jewellery worn to work in such an environment is done so at the wearer’s own risk. Simple as.