An 11-year-old Texas schoolgirl, Jocelynn Rojo Carranza, died by suicide after enduring persistent bullying from classmates about her family’s immigration status. Her mother, Marbella Carranza, is now working with investigators and the school to uncover why the family was never informed of the harassment.
School Ignored Signs of Harassment
Carranza, a sixth-grader at Gainesville Intermediate School, had been repeatedly taunted by classmates who allegedly threatened to report her family to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Despite these ongoing threats, the school failed to notify her mother about the bullying.
Reports suggest that Jocelynn was meeting with a school counselor several times a week due to increased teasing incidents, yet no action was taken to inform her family. On February 3, Marbella received a distressing call stating that her daughter had attempted suicide at their home. Jocelynn was rushed to a critical care unit in Dallas, where she succumbed to her injuries on February 8.
Family Seeks Justice
In an interview with Univision, Marbella expressed her grief, stating, “I waited a whole week for a miracle that my daughter would be well, but unfortunately, nothing could be done.”
Now, she is pushing for accountability from the school, demanding answers about why her daughter’s suffering was ignored.
Public Outrage and Call for Change
Jocelynn’s tragic death has sparked outrage on social media, with many condemning the lack of action from the school. Netizens are urging authorities to address the issue of bullying, immigrant rights, and mental health support in schools.
This heartbreaking incident also coincides with the U.S. government’s intensified immigration crackdown, sparking discussions about the treatment of immigrant communities and the emotional toll on children.
