Texas police are now investigating after a grieving mother claimed her daughter faced relentless bullying at school.
Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide, which some readers may find distressing.
An 11-year-old girl from Gainesville, Texas, has tragically taken her own life, and her mother believes relentless bullying at school played a role.
Jocelynn Rojo Carranza was laid to rest on Wednesday, February 19, just over two weeks after she was found unresponsive at home by her mother, Marbella Carranza.
The heartbreaking discovery was made on February 3, and despite doctors’ efforts, Jocelynn passed away five days later.
Speaking to CNN affiliate KUVN, Carranza recalled how she had been “waiting for a miracle,” desperately hoping her daughter would recover.
Sadly, there was nothing that could be done.
Since her daughter’s passing, Carranza has come forward with claims that Jocelynn was repeatedly bullied at school over her family’s immigration status.
According to the devastated mother, classmates taunted her daughter, telling her they would “call immigration so they could take her parents away, leaving her alone.”
Despite these allegations, Carranza says she had no idea her daughter was being bullied. She only learned about the situation after investigators began looking into the case.
Jocelynn Rojo Carranza was found unresponsive in her home
WFAA
“I never knew anything about that,” she said during an emotional interview on the day of Jocelynn’s funeral.
“My daughter never showed changes. I mean, there was never anything that gave me a sign that she was suffering from bullying.”
Investigators have since informed her that Jocelynn had been attending counseling sessions at school to discuss the bullying she was experiencing.
Carranza has alleged her daughter was receiving counseling
WFAA
“It appears the school was aware of it all, but they never, they never told me what was happening with my daughter,” Carranza stated. “It appears she would go once or twice a week to counseling to report what was happening.”
She went on to say: “(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.”
The Gainesville Independent School District Police have now launched an investigation into the bullying allegations. Meanwhile, the Gainesville Independent School District expressed its sorrow over Jocelynn’s passing, though it has not confirmed whether bullying played a role.
In a statement to UNILAD, the district said: “Our hearts go out to their family, friends, and the entire Gainesville community during this incredibly difficult time.”
“At Gainesville ISD, the safety and well-being of our students are our highest priority. While we cannot comment on specific student matters due to privacy laws, we want to emphasize that we take all reports of bullying and student safety concerns very seriously. Our district follows strict protocols for investigating any allegations, and we are committed to fostering a safe and supportive environment for every student.”
“As our school community grieves, we are ensuring that counselors and additional support resources are available for students and staff who may need them. We also encourage”
The school district further encouraged families to contact school administrators if their child needed support, adding that it remains committed to fostering a culture of “kindness, inclusion, and respect.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in a mental health crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org for support. You can also text MHA to 741741 for immediate crisis assistance.