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An 11-year-old Texas girl died by suicide after alleged bullying over her parents' immigration status. Her mother blames the school for inaction and is seeking justice.
Jocelynn Rojo Carranza's tragic death sparks investigation into school bullying. (Picture source: X/@ndelriego)
UPDATED: Feb 20, 2025 22:41 IST
An 11-year-old girl dies by suicide on February 8 in Gainesville, Texas. Police have started investigating her death after her mother alleged that the girl was bullied in school over her parents' immigration status.
Jocelynn Rojo Carranza's mother, Marbella Carranza, found her in an unresponsive state at their home, five days prior to her death. She was rushed to the Medical City of Dallas for treatment. As per an online obituary, she passed away with her family by her side.
Marbella Carranza was left heartbroken as she witnessed her daughter’s passing. “All week I’ve been waiting for a miracle — waiting for my daughter to get better. But, unfortunately, there was nothing that could be done,” she told KUVN.
Jocelynn Rojo Carranza, 11, died by suicide following relentless bullying. Peers threatened to call ICE on her family and scared her into thinking she would end up alone. Gainesville Intermediate School in Texas, knew but did nothing.
Everyone involved must be held accountable. pic.twitter.com/PyBZuVfShm — Natasha †(@ndelriego) February 18, 2025
The 11-year-old attended Gainesville Intermediate School. Her mother claimed that she was bullied by classmates who told her that her parents would be deported. “They were going to call immigration so they could take her parents away, and she would be left alone,” Carranza added. However, she did not address the family’s immigration status.
Mother alleges school ignored bullying
Marbella claimed that the school did not take action despite knowing about the bullying her daughter faced. “It appears the school was aware of it all, but they never told me what was happening with my daughter,” she said.
She confessed that she had no idea about the ordeal as Jocelynn never gave any hint about what she was facing at school. “My daughter never showed changes. I mean, there was never anything that gave me a sign that she was suffering from bullying,” she told CNN.
Marbella said that the girl was visiting a school counsellor at least once a week to report on what she was facing. The mother seeks justice for Jocelynn’s death and holds the school responsible for neglecting the situation.
Gainesville Intermediate School did not address whether it was aware of the bullying suffered by the girl.
The girl's funeral took place at St. Mary's Catholic Church on Wednesday, the same church where she was baptized as an infant. It was attended by hundreds of residents including family members who were still shocked by her tragic demise. A group of people wore white sweatshirts with the girl's picture in her honour.
“She didn’t know how to understand the things that happen in the world,” Gelasio Garcia, a Church deacon, said at the service.
The obituary states that Jocelynn loved to dance, sing, and even played the French Horn.
Published By:
indiatodayglobal
Published On:
Feb 20, 2025
