Gainesville Grieves Loss of 11-Year-Old Jocelynn Rojo Carranza Following Bullying-Linked Tragedy

The town of Gainesville, Texas, is heartbroken after the tragic death of 11-year-old Jocelynn Rojo Carranza, who died by suicide on February 8. Her family says Jocelynn had been relentlessly bullied at school, especially about her family’s immigration status. Her mother, Marbella Carranza, shared that Jocelynn was taunted and told her parents would be taken away—harassment that she believes school officials were aware of but never told her about, even though Jocelynn had been meeting with the school counselor regularly.

In response, the Gainesville Independent School District issued a statement saying it takes all bullying reports seriously. However, the district did not confirm whether it had been aware of Jocelynn’s specific situation, citing student privacy laws.

Jocelynn was laid to rest on February 14, surrounded by grieving family and friends. She was remembered as a joyful and loving child who enjoyed dancing, movie nights, and spending time with her family.

Her tragic death has sparked growing calls for stronger anti-bullying measures in schools. “She didn’t deserve this,” one community member wrote. “Bullying has to stop.”