On February 8, 11-year-old Jocelynn Rojo Carranza committed suicide in Texas, leaving her family in ruins. Her mother claims that Jocelynn suffered from constant bullying from classmates who made fun of her and said that her family was in the country illegally.
The terrible taunts she endured at school are now being revealed by the investigation into her tragic death. Her distraught mother is hoping that Jocelynn’s story will raise awareness of the grave consequences of bullying and the pressing need for reform.
Source: Freepik
Mocked by classmates
Jocelyn Rojo Carranza, 11, died by herself after allegedly being bullied at school, leaving a Texas family in shock. Jocelyn’s distraught mother, Marbella Carranza, said that she felt helpless as a result of students making fun of her family’s immigration status.
Jocelyn Rojo Carranza reportedly suffered from constant bullying at Gainesville Intermediate School. Carranza claims that Jocelyn’s classmates made fun of her family’s immigrant status and even threatened to contact ICE.
“They said they were going to call immigration to take her parents away, leaving her all alone,” Carranza told CNN affiliate KUVN. Marbella didn’t address her family’s immigration status.
“It appears the school was aware of it all, but they never — they never told me what was happening with my daughter,” Carranza told the outlet. “It appears she would go once or twice a week to counseling to report what was happening.”
In a statement to KUVN, the Gainesville Independent School District did not directly address whether they were aware of Jocelynn Rojo Carranza being bullied. However, they emphasized their response to such incidents, stating, ”Whenever we receive a report of bullying, we respond swiftly to ensure all students are safe physically and emotionally.”
The district also noted their efforts to address bullying, adding, ”While we cannot release any information about specific students or incidents, our schools have several policies in place to combat bullying and resolve conflicts.”
“[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,” Carranza said.
A passion for dancing and swinging
On February 3, Jocelyn was discovered unconscious in the family’s Gainesville residence. The girl died five days later despite efforts to save her.
On Wednesday, her loved ones grieved the tragic loss of a young life taken too soon as she was laid to rest. As the mariachi band, seated on the church balcony, played a melancholy song during the service, the air was filled with the sound of despair. The casket was covered in a white cloth and a crucifix was placed on top of it at the same church where Jocelynn had been baptized eleven years earlier.
“She didn’t know how to understand the things that happen in the world,” said Gelasio Garcia, a deacon at the church, as he spoke during the service.
According to her obituary, Jocelynn was a beloved niece, sister, daughter, and friend to everyone who knew her.
She loved dancing and swinging, and she really enjoyed spending time with her family, whether it was having “movie night Fridays” with her loved ones or getting her nails done with her grandmother.
The Boys & Girls Club of Cooke County honored Jocelynn with a poignant tribute, stating that they were “deeply saddened” by her departure.
They also shared an important message, adding, “Her story is a reminder to always be kind because you never know what someone is going through.”
It’s heartbreaking! This wasn’t fair to that adorable little kid. Bullying must end! I’m praying for her family at this unfathomable tragedy and for the bullies who must now deal with the fallout from their behavior.