'They should not know what depression is at 11-years-old' community gathers honoring Jocelynn Rojo Carranza

A crowd gathered in downtown OKC at Wiley Post Park for a candlelight vigil honoring 11-year-old Jocelynn Rojo Carranza who died by suicide. 

Many showed up with tears already in their eyes touched by a girl they had never met.  

The family says Carranza was taunted over the immigration status of her parents.  

Vigil organizer Fernando Baquera says he grew up undocumented here in Oklahoma City. His goal for the vigil on Sunday was to bring attention to anti-immigrant hate. 

“They should not know what depression is at 11 years old,” said Carlos Lozzfadez who came out to the vigil to support.  

Lozzfadez also has an 11-year-old daughter and added, “When I was 11 years old, I didn't know what suicide was. So for her to know at 11 years old and being a female what suicide is right now. It's a hard conversation trying to have.” 

It is a conversation many parents have to have to explain to their kids why they are rejected in the country where they live.  

Carranza, who was in the fifth grade at Gainesville Intermediate School in Texas, was told by some of her classmates that they were going to call ICE on her family. Fearing she would be left alone, Carranza took her life.   

As the community banded together, many shared their experiences of bullying with some saying the experience is not always with kids.   

“It was surprising that she was being bullied by the teacher and told all these terrifying things that would terrify a 6 or 7-year-old,” said Gisselle Escobedo of her sister.  

Vigil organizer Fernando Baquera said it was important to him to honor Carranza but to also bring awareness to this type of bullying.  

“It's a fear. I've, I've had students withdraw from school, out of fear that, you know, they may get, get arrested by ICE at the school,” said Baquera.  

Community leaders spoke and shared resources at the vigil on Sunday for anyone experiencing this type of pain.