In Loving Memory
Natalia Moore
2012 – January 26, 2025
A 12-year-old hockey player from Middleville, Michigan — gifted, spirited, and full of life — whose story is driving landmark change in how Michigan protects its children.
#SticksOutForNatalia
Wyandotte Warriors · #44
Who She Was
Natalia Moore was a 12-year-old girl from Middleville, Michigan — a small town in Barry County — who embodied the spirit of someone far beyond her years. Those who knew her described her as lively, gifted, spirited, and deeply passionate about the people and things she loved.
She was warm, competitive, and driven — a natural leader who showed up fully in everything she did. Whether it was on the ice or in the classroom, Natalia brought energy and heart that teammates, coaches, and family say was impossible to forget.
She attended Thornapple Kellogg Middle School, where — like so many students her age — she was navigating the social pressures of early adolescence while also excelling on the ice.
Gifted Athlete
Tier 1 AAA hockey player known for her passion and skill
Loyal Teammate
Remembered fondly by teammates on every team she played for
Spirited Soul
A lively, joyful presence who lit up every room she entered
Life on the Ice
Hockey wasn't just a sport to Natalia — it was her world. She began her career with the Wyandotte Warriors, where she earned a reputation as a gifted and spirited young player. She went on to compete at the Tier 1 AAA level — the highest competitive level in youth hockey — and most recently played forward for the Fox Motors Hockey Club at the 12U Girls Tier 2 level.
She wore #44 and #26 during her career. After her passing, the hockey world poured out its grief — the Grand Rapids Griffins, NHL fans, and countless youth hockey organizations shared tributes. The hashtag #SticksOutForNatalia spread across social media as players placed their hockey sticks outside their front doors in her honor.
"It is with heavy hearts that we share the tragic news of the passing of #26 Natalia Moore… She was a great teammate and enjoyed playing forward."
— Fox Motors Hockey Club
Fox Motors Hockey Club · In action
Game day focus 🏒
She lived and breathed hockey.
A fan, a player, a competitor — always in the game.
What Happened
Beginning in 2024, Natalia began experiencing months of severe, sustained bullying at Thornapple Kellogg Middle School. The harassment was relentless — and her family did everything right. They reported it. Repeatedly. To school officials. To anyone who would listen.
Despite those repeated reports, interventions failed. The bullying did not stop. School systems that were supposed to protect her did not adequately respond. Natalia continued to face the harassment while administrators cycled through processes that produced no relief.
On January 26, 2025, Natalia Moore died by suicide. She was 12 years old.
The hockey community, her school, her town, and ultimately the entire state of Michigan were shaken. Her death exposed a critical gap in Michigan law: there was no mechanism that guaranteed a bullied student the right to simply leave — to transfer to a safer school — when the system around them had failed.
Legacy & Advocacy
In the wake of Natalia's death, her family's pain became a rallying cry. The hockey community rallied first — thousands of sticks placed outside front doors, tributes from professional teams, and a wave of public grief that refused to stay quiet.
That grief found a legislative home when State Representative Angela Rigas (R-Caledonia), whose district includes Barry County where Thornapple Kellogg Schools is located, decided that Natalia's story demanded more than mourning. It demanded action.
"Natalia's story is a heartbreaking reminder that our current systems often fail our children. By enacting this first-of-its-kind transfer mandate, we're prioritizing student safety and giving parents the tools to protect their kids from further harm."
— Rep. Angela Rigas (R-Caledonia, District 79)
On January 22, 2026 — nearly one year after Natalia's death — Rep. Rigas introduced House Bill 5480, officially named the Natalia Moore Law. It was the first bill of its kind in Michigan history.
The Natalia Moore Law — HB 5480
House Bill 5480, introduced January 22, 2026, is the first law of its kind in Michigan. Unlike existing anti-bullying policies — which focus on investigating perpetrators and issuing consequences — this bill focuses entirely on protecting the victim by guaranteeing them a way out.
Under the Natalia Moore Law, if a student is being bullied and the school has failed to resolve it, the receiving school district must accept a transfer — regardless of whether the student lives in that district. The family simply needs to provide documented evidence that bullying occurred and that the school failed to address it.
Key Provisions
- Mandatory acceptance of transfers for bullied students — even out-of-district
- Parents must provide documented evidence of bullying and failed interventions
- Schools cannot deny a transfer due to the student's truancy history
- Originating district must share academic records within 7 days
- Tuition fees for the transfer are waived — no financial barrier to safety
- Schools or officials who fail to comply face civil liability and damages
Why It Matters
Michigan's existing anti-bullying laws focus on investigating and punishing bullies. But nothing in current law guarantees a victim the right to leave a toxic environment.
This bill flips the script: instead of forcing the victim to wait for the system to fix itself, it gives families an immediate, legally-backed escape route.
It ensures the student being harmed — not the bully — is the one whose needs come first.
Current Status
January 26, 2025 — Natalia Passes Away
Natalia Moore dies by suicide at age 12 after months of unresolved bullying at Thornapple Kellogg Middle School. The hockey community and Michigan mourn.
January 22, 2026 — HB 5480 Introduced
Rep. Angela Rigas introduces the Natalia Moore Law — the first bill in Michigan history to guarantee bullied students a right to transfer districts, funded and barrier-free.
Now — In Committee
HB 5480 is currently under committee review in the Michigan House. Michigan residents are encouraged to contact their legislators in support of the bill.
"This bill represents a historic first for Michigan – no other state law here has ever guaranteed bullying victims the right to transfer districts without obstacles."
— Rep. Angela Rigas, District 79
You Are Not Alone
If you or someone you know is being bullied or struggling, please reach out. Natalia's story matters — and so does yours.