A Terrell family is in mourning after Zusette Moreno, 12, passed away suddenly on Friday morning, November 30, 2012. Moreno attended Herman Furlough Middle School in Terrell, Texas. Friday would have been her 13th birthday.
A Terrell family is in mourning after Zusette Moreno, 12, passed away suddenly on Friday morning, November 30, 2012. Moreno attended Herman Furlough Middle School in Terrell, Texas. Friday would have been her 13th birthday.
Hundreds protest the death of Zusette Moreno at Furlough Middle School on Monday, December 2
Family and friends report Moreno was assaulted in the girl's bathroom in school by fellow classmates and that the assault led to her eventual death. Her mother, Blanca Primero, through an interpreter, provided a description of what Zusette said happened to her in the girl's bathroom before her passing. According to Primero's account, the girls grabbed her neck, shoved her head against the wall, and punched her in the stomach. Primero said that Moreno called to be picked up from school and that her aunt, Lipita Primero, picked her up. Primero said she wasn't told of the attack until after Moreno had left the school campus with her aunt.
Zusette Moreno was rushed to an area hospital after her mother said she was unresponsive and appeared to be in a coma. Several days later, she died. A police complaint was filed by Blanca Primero on Saturday and she says the family just wants answers now.
TISD Superintendent Kelly Rodgers, School Board President Dena Risinger, and other TISD officials went to the Primero household on Sunday to offer their condolences to the family and were met by nearly 40 friends and family members protesting Moreno's death. The group was chanting “We want justice” and blocked the officials' vehicles from moving. Nearly 30 minutes later, the vehicles were able to move and an interview was granted at the Terrell Administration Building with Superintendent Rodgers.
Rodgers said that the TISD police have conducted an investigation of all allegations and no criminal activity has been found. He insisted that the Terrell ISD did not take the incident lightly and that they need time to investigate.
A statement released on Sunday, December 2, 2012, by Terrell ISD and the City of Terrell states, “Terrell ISD Police Department and the City of Terrell Police Department Forensics Investigator joined the Dallas County Medical Examiner's autopsy of the student today. The preliminary report of the Dallas County Examiner is that there are no signs of trauma or assault identified in the medical autopsy.”
The same press release also states, “While there have been numerous unsubstantiated rumors surrounding this event, Terrell ISD police will continue to work with the families and students and investigate each allegation.”
TISD said they provided grievance counseling for students on campus on Friday, November 30, 2012, and that they would continue to provide that counseling on Monday, December 3, 2012.
