The father of Santa Clara teen Jose Zamora has initiated a GoFundMe to pay for the funeral expenses of his 14-year-old son, who died last week. Jose Bautista, who created the fundraiser to help pay for the burial of his son, has so far received over $95,000 in donations from over 2000 donors, who swarmed the page with an outpouring of love and support for the devastated father mourning the loss.
Trigger Warning: This article covers s**cide. Reader discretion is advised.
Jose Bautista told Fox affiliate KTVU that his son, who struggled with mental health issues, took his own life last week. Bautista claimed his teen son, who started school at Santa Clara High just three months ago, was relentlessly bullied by his schoolmates over being homeless and motherless.
Bautista, who spoke to the website to raise awareness about bullying, said his son, a freshman at the Santa Clara school, was a member of the junior varsity team, who allegedly spat and hit him after they discovered the teen was unhoused. Bautista said they moved into a nonprofit shelter, Bill Wilson Center, earlier this year after they were evicted from the apartment.
Bautista, who was hoping to find a home for himself and his son in time for the holidays, tragically found his son dead last week.
Community mourns death of Santa Clara teen Jose Zamora
The community is rallying around Santa Clara teen’s father, Jose Bautista, who lost his son to s*icide last week. Bautista’s GoFundMe campaign with a goal to raise $100,000 saw donations pour in from over 2000 people who helped raise 95 percent of the target amount.
Bautista’s tragic story was amplified on social media, with community members urging others to donate to alleviate the grieving father's financial burdens as he mourns the loss of his child.
Bautista’s classmate from Overfelt High School, in a Facebook post, said:
“Please help our classmate Jose Bautista. He was in the class of 1998. He's going through a difficult time. Anything will help.”
The fundraising page was also flooded with a volley of comments from community members condoling the death of the Santa Clara teen Jose Zamora. A donor, Maria Manzo, said:
“Absolutely heartbreaking. I can cry, I was bullied all my middle school so this story definitely touched me. May your son rest in peace. Absolutely devastating.”
Another donor, Anette Arredondo, added:
“My condolences to the dad, I’m beyond sorry this happened to you. You both were lucky to have each other in sorry someone's actions had to snatch such a precious blessing from you. I’m sending you much love and strength for your healing and peace, my heart aches for you.”
Meanwhile, Santa Clara School District issued a statement via Facebook alongside a video message from Superintendent Dr. Waddell. The post from the Santa Clara School District read:
"Last week, our community experienced a tragic loss. Our district shares the overwhelming sadness and regret that many in our community have expressed.” They added, “We extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Jose Zamora as our community mourns together.”
The district also urged anyone struggling with their mental health or bullying to reach out to the school office right away.
In the video Superintendent Dr. Waddell said there's an ongoing district investigation over the bullying allegation, which has resulted in disciplinary action. The Santa Clara Police Department is also investigating the incident.
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If you or someone you know is struggling, please call 988, the National Suicide Hotline, for 24/7 support.
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