Texas 11-year-old dies by suicide after alleged bullying over family’s immigration status

GAINSVILLE, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- An 11-year-old Texas girl died by suicide after reportedly being bullied at school over her family’s immigration status, according to media outlets. The girl, identified in an online obituary as Jocelynn Rojo Carranza, was a sixth-grader at Gainesville Intermediate School.

Prior to her death, Jocelynn had been bullied by classmates who allegedly threatened to call immigration authorities because of her family’s Hispanic background, her mother, Marbella Carranza, told news outlets. “Because her parents were Hispanic, they were going to call immigration to take her parents and she would be alone,” Carranza said.

Jocelynn died at a Dallas hospital on Feb. 8, five days after her mother found her unresponsive at home, according to the obituary.

The girl had reportedly been attending counseling sessions to address the bullying once or twice a week before her death, though her mother said school officials did not inform her of the sessions until police notified her, according to media outlets.

Gainesville Independent School District police are investigating the bullying allegations, media outlets reported. In a statement to media outlets, the district said, “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.”

Jocelynn enjoyed dancing, singing, playing the French horn, swimming, and getting her nails done with her grandmother, her obituary stated.

Her funeral was held Wednesday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Gainesville. Prior to her death, Jocelynn’s father, Ernesto Alonso Rojo had set up a GoFundMe. The latest update read:

Thank you very much God bless each and every one of your family members please pray for the eternal rest of my little princess No to bullying, No to racism…

Muchas gracias Dios los bendiga a todos y cada uno de sus familiares por favor oren por el eterno descanso de my little princess No al bullying No al racismo …#justiciaparajocelynn

You may find that GoFundMe page here.

If you or a loved one is experiencing a crisis or suicidal thoughts, there is help available. Call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.