Jose Emiliano Zamora.Photo:sacred space memorial
sacred space memorial
Jose Emiliano Zamora, who was a student at a Santa Clara, Calif., school, died on Nov. 6, at the age of 14, according to an onlineobituary.
TheSanta Clara Unified School Districtconfirmed the death in a video statement on Facebook a week later on Wednesday, Nov. 13.
Jose’s father, Jose Bautista, toldFOX 4 Newsthat the teenager had started at Santa Clara High just a few months ago.
A member of the junior varsity football team at his school, Jose was allegedly being bullied for being homeless, Bautista told the outlet.
“They were spitting on him, hitting him on the back of the helmet,” said Bautista, who reportedly learned about the alleged bullying from other students at the school.
Bautista and Jose were evicted from their apartment earlier this year, and the teenager was staying at a shelter, per FOX 4 News. The boy was being treated for mental health concerns at the facility, Bautista said.
The shelter tells PEOPLE they are aware of the situation and cooperating with the investigation, but could not comment further, citing the ongoing investigation.
“We were bonding more. He was waiting for a place to live instead of the shelter,” the grief-stricken father told FOX 4 News.
Jose Emiliano Zamora.go fund me
go fund me
Jose’s family has started aGoFundMeto assist with funeral costs, which raised more than $100,000 in a week, with many sharing their sympathy over the alleged bullying.
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In Wednesday’s video statement, Santa Clara Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Gary Waddell said, “To the extent that bullying played a factor [in Jose’s suicide], it is unacceptable. Even one instance is too many.”
He said there have been some “serious disciplinary action” following a district investigation and that the district is “fully cooperating” with the police probe.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
source: people.com