14-year-old dies by suicide after Santa Clara classmates bully him for being homeless: Dad

South Bay father says his 14-year-old son committed suicide after classmates bullied him for being homeless

A Santa Clara father shares the heartbreaking story of his 14-year-old son. The teenager died by suicide last week. He was a freshman and member of his high school’s junior varsity football team. His father says his teammates bullied him because he was homeless.

SANTA CLARA, California. – IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS THINKING OF SUICIDE, THE NATIONAL HOTLINE IS 988, WHICH IS AVAILABLE 24/7.

A South Bay father said his teenage son committed suicide after being bullied by other students at the high school they attended because he was homeless.

And now, Jose Bautista wants to share his son’s story to raise awareness about his 14-year-old son, Jose Zamora, who attended Santa Clara High just three months ago.

“He tried to make me happy,” Bautista said. “He was trying to be a better kid.”

Jose died by suicide last Tuesday.

The grieving single father said the teen was a victim of bullying at his high school, where he was a freshman.

“I miss hearing him and seeing him. I miss picking him up,” Bautista said.

My father said he would pick Jose up from football practice at Santa Clara High, where he was a member of the junior varsity team.

Bautista said that after his son was found dead, he heard from other students that his son’s teammates bullied him because he was homeless and had no mother.

“They spit on him and hit him on the back of the helmet,” Bautista said.

Bautista said the other football players also found out his son was living at the Bill Wilson Center, a nonprofit shelter that helps unhoused and troubled youth.

Bautista said his son was being treated there for mental health issues.

Father and son became homeless after being evicted from their apartment earlier this year.

“We bonded more. He was waiting for a place to live instead of a shelter,” Bautista said.

He added that he had hoped to find a new home for him and his son in time for the holidays.

Bautista questioned whether the school district will hold accountable those suspected of bullying his son.

School Superintendent Gary Waddell released a written statement saying in part: “Administrators have already taken initial steps in response. We do not tolerate bullying, harassment or retaliation of any kind and take any such allegations seriously. We strive to to provide as many facts as possible to the community, while maintaining our obligation to protect the privacy and confidentiality of both students and families.”

Bautista said he wants others to know what happened.

“It’s kind of hard,” he said. “I just don’t want this to happen to other people the way it happened to me.”

He started with one online fundraiser to help pay for his son’s funeral.

The school district and Santa Clara Police said they are actively investigating Jose’s death.

Amber Lee is a reporter at KTVU. Email Amber at [email protected] or text/leave a message at 510-599-3922. Follow her on Facebook @AmberKTVU, Instagram @AmberKTVU or Twitter @AmberKTVU