An 11-year-old Texas girl who killed herself after being bullied about her family’s immigration status told friends she was inappropriately touched by a family member, according to shocking findings by her Texas school district.
Jocelyn Rojo Carranza was found unresponsive in her family’s Gainesville home on Feb. 3 and died in the hospital after five days of intensive care.
The little girl’s mother, Marbella Carranza, claimed her daughter was bullied by students at Gainesville Intermediate School. She said they mocked her because of the family’s immigration status and threatened to call Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The Gainesville Independent School District launched an investigation and confirmed that a student on Carranza’s bus made comments about ICE and deportation to a group of Hispanic students and that the girl was in earshot, according to the findings.
Carranza reported the incident to her principal on Jan. 30 after the topic of ICE came up again in class, the district said. The district found that it was not the only time such an incident occurred and said the student was disciplined.
After Carranza’s hospitalization the following week, students came forward to school officials and said that the girl and one of her brothers were the victims of bullying, which spurred the investigation.
Kids also told administrators about Carranza’s disturbing claims of abuse, which she asked them to keep a secret.
“It was reported by multiple students that [Carranza] told them that she had been inappropriately touched by a family member and wished to keep this a secret to avoid getting them in trouble,” Superintendent DesMontes Stewart said in the report.
The district reported the claims to Child Protective Services, and said it is investigating.
The district also found that the girl had previously expressed thoughts of self-harm to her cousin, who allegedly informed Carranza’s mother, and that she told a counselor in October about getting in trouble at home and being called names by her siblings.
The district said it would have provided resources if it knew about Carranza’s wanting to harm herself and said she participated in a social-emotional learning group, which her mother granted permission for her to attend.
Her mom, however, has maintained that she was kept in the dark about her young daughter seeking counseling.
“Nothing about that is true,” Carranza’s mother told NBC affiliate KXAS-TV regarding the district’s findings, including the abuse.
“I talk with my daughter about that, always … Nobody can touch your body. Nobody,” she told the outlet, adding that she has hired a lawyer and was waiting to respond to the district.
“GISD has remained fully supportive of the family throughout this difficult time,” Stewart, the superintendent, said in a statement.
“The district’s schools, PTO groups, and staff donations have contributed thousands of dollars, as well as gift cards and food to support the family’s needs,” he added. “Additionally, I personally met with the mother and a family member to address any questions they had regarding the investigation.”
Carranza’s funeral was held on Feb. 19.
She was survived by her parents and six siblings and was remembered by her love of singing and dancing, according to an obituary.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the five boroughs, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
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