An 11-year-old Oak Cliff boy took his own life earlier this month, and his mother says he was the victim of bullying.
Julio Ortiz, known as Junior, was a sixth-grade student at L.V. Stockard Middle School. His mother, Maya Rodriguez, found the boy dead in a bedroom closet two days before spring break.
The mother of seven says her son hung himself because he was being bullied at school. She also says he was being pressured to sell drugs.
Rodriguez says her son’s demeanor changed in the weeks leading up to his death. He was angry and had a quick temper, she says. She says she wants to tell his story to raise awareness of bullying and suicide prevention.
Suicide is the third-leading cause of death for Americans ages 10-24, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And a CDC survey found that Hispanic high school students in the United States are more likely to report attempting suicide than their non-Hispanic peers.
And call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 800.273.8255, if you or anyone you know may be considering suicide.