The death of 11-year-old Jocelynn Rojo Carranza has left a Texas community heartbroken and searching for answers. Her mother, Marbella Carranza, says Jocelynn spent her last months facing “relentless bullying” at Gainesville Intermediate School, including threats from classmates to “take her parents” away by calling immigration.
Marbella said her daughter met with school counselors weekly, but she was never told the full extent of the bullying. “The school was negligent for not keeping me informed,” she claimed. Gainesville ISD declined to discuss the case, saying only that it responds quickly to bullying reports and has policies to protect students—a response that offered the family little comfort.
On February 3, Jocelynn was found unresponsive at home. After five days in the hospital, she died on February 8.
Her funeral, held in the same church where she was baptized, was marked by deep sorrow. A small white casket lay at the altar as a mariachi band played softly.
“She didn’t know how to understand the things that happen in the world,” said Deacon Gelasio Garcia. Jocelynn’s story now stands as both a plea for kindness and a warning about the devastating impact of bullying.
