The Superintendent at Gainesville ISD is denying there was any bullying reported by the 11-year-old whose death by suicide is currently being investigated.
Jocelynn Rojo Carranza died by suicide after allegedly being bullied about her family's immigration status, her mother claims.
Jocelynn died on February 8 – five days after her mother found her unresponsive at their home in Gainesville. Marbella Carranza says she has learned through the investigation that bullies threatened to call immigration to take her parents away.
During an interview with CNN's affiliate KUVN, Carranza says she discovered the school was aware of the bullying and offered counseling. “It appears the school was aware of it all, but they never, they never told me what was happening with my daughter,” Marbella Carranza told CNN affiliate KUVN.
“It appears she would go once or twice a week to counseling to report what was happening,” Carranza said.
But in an exclusive interview, Gainesville ISD Superintendent Dr. Des Stewart denies Jocelyn ever reported bullying but that she was seeing a counselor for 'coping.' "That is correct in the fact that she was part of a group to help with coping skills. She wanted to go for coping skills. There was nothing related to bullying, three was never a bullying report, she was not being seen for bullying," he says.
An investigation continues by Gainesville police, though the Gainesville ISD has reportedly concluded their side of the investigation.
Dr. Stewart says once the statement of all the facts is released, it will "clarify all that has been done by GISD as well as some things that were not done by the other party."
Jocelynn was remembered as a wonderful daughter and friend. She played the French horn, made TikTok videos, swam, did cartwheels and spent Friday nights watching movies with her family, according to the obituary.
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