An 11-year-old girl from Texas, Jocelyn Rojo Carranza, tragically died by suicide after being bullied by classmates about her family’s immigration status, according to her grieving mother.
Jocelyn was found unresponsive at her home in Gainesville, Texas, on February 3. Despite efforts to save her, she passed away five days later. She was laid to rest on Wednesday, surrounded by family and friends who mourned the loss of a bright and loving child.
Bullying at School
Jocelyn’s mother, Marbella Carranza, shared that her daughter faced relentless bullying at Gainesville Intermediate School. She said students teased Jocelyn about her family’s immigration status and even threatened to call immigration authorities (ICE) to have her parents taken away, leaving her alone.
“They told her they were going to call immigration so her parents would be taken away,” Carranza told local news station KUVN.
Carranza also claimed that school officials were aware of the bullying and provided Jocelyn with counseling sessions. However, the family was never informed about these sessions or the extent of the situation.
“The school knew what was happening, but they never told me anything,” Carranza said. “She was going to counseling once or twice a week, but I didn’t know about it.”
Family Seeks Justice
Carranza believes the school failed to protect her daughter and keep the family informed. She is now demanding answers and justice for Jocelyn.
“It’s not fair,” she said. “The school was negligent for not telling me what was happening with my daughter.”
The Gainesville Independent School District has not yet responded to requests for comments regarding the allegations.
Remembering Jocelyn
Jocelyn was remembered as a joyful and kind-hearted girl. She played the French horn, loved swimming, and enjoyed spending time with her grandmother getting manicures.
Her funeral was held at St. Mary Catholic Church, where hundreds of people gathered to say goodbye, including her large and loving family. She is survived by her parents, Ernesto Rojo and Marbella Carranza, along with her seven siblings.
Her heartbreaking story serves as a reminder of the serious impact of bullying and the importance of open communication between schools and families.
