The Gainesville Independent School District (ISD) has released an update following the investigation into the death of student Jocelynn Rojo Carranza.

The 11-year-old died by suicide on February 8, five days after her mother discovered her unresponsive at their home in Gainesville, Texas.

The Context

Carranza had reportedly faced months of bullying from her sixth-grade classmates, who targeted her over her family’s immigration status and threatened to call U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to have her deported.

What To Know

The school district said that the principal visited Carranza’s class on January 30 while the students were discussing ICE, which has been conducting arrests across the county.

Superintendent DesMontes Stewart did not specify why the topic was being discussed.

Stewart said that Carranza told her principal a student on her school bus had made remarks about ICE and deportation to a group of Hispanic students.

The following day, a bus driver confirmed the incident, reporting to administrators that the remarks were directed at a group of Hispanic students. According to the school, Carranza was not the direct target but she was close enough to hear the comments.

The school’s investigation later revealed that similar incidents had occurred multiple times.

The district added that the student responsible was identified, interviewed, and received disciplinary action, adding that Carranza appeared to be in good spirits throughout the week.

The school said they were informed by a family member on February 4 that Carranza had been hospitalized due to an accident. She died just days later.

Students reported Carranza and her brother had been bullied. The district says that it immediately launched an internal investigation after reports emerged.

The report also said that Carranza told classmates that she had been “inappropriately touched by a family member,” however the claims were denied by the mother.

“Nothing about that is true,” Carranza’s mother, Marbella Carranza, told NBC 5.

“I don’t know why they committed, like, why he said that, because I talk with my daughter about that, always. I ask. Nobody can touch your body, nobody,” she added.

The school said that Carranza had previously expressed thoughts of self-harm to a cousin, who informed her mother. However, the district claims this information was not shared with school officials, preventing them from intervening with necessary resources.

The district reported that during a one-on-one meeting with a school counselor in October, Carranza shared concerns about getting into trouble at home and being called names by her siblings. However, she did not mention being bullied at that time.

Carranza’s mother insists she was not informed that her daughter had sought counseling or participated in a coping skills group.

What People Are Saying

The school said in a statement: “Gainesville ISD takes the safety and well-being of all students, faculty, and staff very seriously. We remain committed to addressing concerns swiftly and consistently. As a reminder, we ask that if any student sees, hears, or believes that a fellow student may need support, that they promptly alert a staff member or administrator so that appropriate resources can be provided.”

Governor Abbott’s press secretary Andrew Mahaleris told Newsweek: “This loss of life is tragic, and the Governor and First Lady pray for her family and loved ones during this devastating time. Bullying will never be tolerated, and we must ensure that our schools are safe learning environments.”

Mayor Tommy Moore told Newsweek: “The City of Gainesville expresses its profound sorrow and deepest condolences to the family, friends, and classmates of Jocelynn Rojo Carranza, whose tragic passing has deeply shaken our community.”

What Happens Next

It remains to be seen if the family will take legal action against the school following the investigation.