A student in Gainesville Intermediate School in Gainesville, Texas, died by suicide on February 8th, following a suicide attempt five days prior. Jocelynn Rojo Carranza, an 11-year-old sixth grader at the school, died after enduring months of bullying, specifically targeting her family's immigration status. According to her mother, her classmates reportedly threatened Jocelynn with calling ICE on her parents, leaving her in a constant state of anxiety.

Student's behavior is hard to control, but Jocelynn's story isn't just a failure of students; it's a failure of the school. If your child is being bullied and the school does not act, the Education Law Team at the Lento Law Firm can help. Call us at 888-535-3686 or fill out an online form.

School Negligence

The main issue in the Carranza case, according to Marbella Carranza, Jocelynn's mother, is that the school was aware of the bullying. Jocelynn had even reportedly been attending counseling sessions at school to address the issue. However, the school failed to inform Marbella of the sessions or the ongoing bullying so she could get involved, and it wasn't until the police investigation that the family learned what Jocelynn had been going through.

The school released a statement indicating its commitment to swift action against bullying and the existence of. However, none of that seems to have been put into practice, considering the school knew about the bullying, failed to notify the parents, and took inadequate actions to address the severity of the situation and prevent further harm. The school's statement also fails to address whether its existing policies were effectively implemented or whether proactive measures were taken to create a safe environment for all students.

Even if all these steps were taken, however, the targeted bullying Jocelyn received required a specific response in part of the school that doesn't seem to have taken place. Schools have to be aware of how to handle bias-based bullying and have procedures and policies in place to handle situations like this one.

How the Lento Law Firm Can Help

If your child is experiencing bullying and the school is not taking appropriate action, we can be your advocate. We understand how devastating bullying can be, not just for a child but for parents, and how much of an impact it can have emotionally and academically.

We can help you gather evidence of the bullying incidents and document the school's response and lack thereof. We can also be your first line of communication with school administrators, and we will make sure we advocate for open communication with you and appropriate measures to protect your child.

Furthermore, we can help you navigate the complex school and ensure your child's rights are protected. If we determine your child's rights are protected, we can be by your side as we explore further legal options.

We understand the emotional distress caused by bullying and by a school that doesn't have your back through it all. But you don't have to face it alone. The Lento Law Firm is here for you. Call us at 888-535-3686 or fill out an online form.