GAINESVILLE, Texas — The mother of an 11-year-old Texas girl say her daughter took her own life after classmates bullied her about her family’s immigration status and threatened to have them deported.
Jocelynn Rojo Carranza, a sixth grader at Gainesville Intermediate School, died Feb. 8, five days after she attempted suicide at her home, WFAA reports. Carranza’s mother, Marbella Carranza, said her daughter was bullied for months and that it started on the bus.
“They would tell her ICE was going to come and get her parents and she was going to be here alone,” Carranza said. “The rumors that have been said up to now it was because her parents being immigrants, them being immigrants.”
Gainesville School Did Not Tell Parents About Bullying, Mother Says
Carranza alleges her daughter’s school was aware of the bullying but did not tell her, noting she only learned her daughter had been receiving counseling at school when investigators told her.
“It appears the school was aware of it all, but they never, they never told me what was happening with my daughter. It appears she would go once or twice a week to counseling to report what was happening,” Carranza told KUVN. “[I want] justice because it’s not fair — the school was negligent for not keeping me informed of what was going on with my daughter.”
RELATED ARTICLE: ICE in Schools: Districts, State Leaders Issue Guidelines for Dealing with ICE Agents
The Gainesville Independent School District issued a statement saying they would not comment on the case.
“Whenever we receive a report of bullying, we respond swiftly to ensure all students are safe physically and emotionally. While we cannot release any information about specific students or incidents, our schools have several policies in place to combat bullying and resolve conflicts,” the district wrote. “These policies provide opportunities to report such behavior. If a report arises, the District immediately takes all steps necessary to respond appropriately. We have been, and will continue to be proactive in our efforts to make sure our schools are safe, secure, and free from harassment.“
Gainesville Police said in a statement that an investigation is currently underway by the Gainesville ISD Police.
If you or someone you know might be at risk of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text TALK to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional information.
