In late January, rumors and speculation about potential deportations by immigration authorities spread among students at a predominantly Hispanic school. A parent and another student reported that there was chatter and taunting on campus, causing fear and distress among the students. The parent mentioned that her 11-year-old daughter, who is White, came home crying due to concerns for her Hispanic friends.
Tragically, an 11-year-old middle school student named Jocelynn Rojo Carranza took her own life, and investigators are looking into the possible connection between alleged bullying and her death. The mother of the deceased student revealed that her daughter had been bullied and was seeing a counselor at school, a fact she was unaware of until after Jocelynn's passing.
Marbella Carranza, Jocelynn's mother, shared that her daughter was taunted by another student with threats of deportation, leading to fears of being left alone. The mother expressed confusion and sorrow over the unanswered questions surrounding her daughter's decision.
Following the tragic event, the Gainesville Independent School District has been approached for comments on the bullying allegations and related issues but has only issued a general statement about investigating all reports of bullying.
One of Jocelynn's friends, Genessis Arnal, disclosed hearing discussions about ICE and deportations at school, causing fear and concern among students with immigrant backgrounds. The school district later sent an email to parents addressing immigration policy concerns in light of recent developments.
The email reassured families that the district values and supports every child and emphasized the protocols for law enforcement officials to question students. It also highlighted the availability of counselors to assist students and families dealing with anxiety and fear related to the situation.
The emotional impact of Jocelynn's death was evident at her viewing, where friends, classmates, and family members gathered to pay their respects. The community mourns the loss of a young life and reflects on the importance of supporting one another during difficult times.
