GAINESVILLE, Texas (TNND) — An 11-year-old girl from Texas tragically took her own life after bullies threatened to call Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on her family.
Jocelynn Rojo Carranza was found unresponsive by her mother, Marbella Carranza, on Feb. 3 in her Gainesville home, according to KUVN.
The Gainesville Police Department said they received several calls about an attempted suicide the morning of Feb. 3. When they arrived life-saving measures had already been started and continued by first responders, officials stated.
Carranza was airlifted to a children’s hospital in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex but passed away from her injuries on Feb. 8, police said.
Carranza told KUVN her daughter was bullied about her family’s immigration status.
“They were going to call immigration so they could take her parents away and she would be left alone,” Carranza told the outlet.
She also claimed her daughter’s school, Gainesville Intermediate School, was aware of the alleged bullying and offered counseling, but only learned the information from investigators.
“It appears the school was aware of it all, but they never, they never told me what was happening with my daughter,” Carranza said. “It appears she would go once or twice a week to counseling to report what was happening.”
The district told KUVN that “whenever we receive a report of bullying, we respond swiftly to ensure all students are safe physically and emotionally.”
The National News Desk reached out to the Gainesville Independent School District and is waiting to hear back.
Jocelynn’s obituary described her as “a wonderful daughter, sister, niece and friend to everyone” adding that she played the French horn, made TikTok videos, swam, did cartwheels and spent Friday nights watching movies with her family.
The Boys & Girls Club of Cooke County said in tribute that they “are deeply saddened by the loss of Jocelynn but we are hopeful that her story will change the lives of many.”
“Her story is a reminder to always be kind because you never know what someone is going through,” the group said.
Gainesville police said they are handling the investigation of her death and the bullying allegations are being looked into by the Gainesville Independent School District.
“Our hearts are broken over the loss of Jocelyn,” Mayor Tommy Moore said in a release. “We grieve with her family. As a community, we need to ensure that all of our community members, especially the youngest ones, feel safe and supported.”
Editor’s note: If you or anyone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental health call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
