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South Bay father says his 14 year-old-son took his own life after schoolmates bullied him for being homeless
A Santa Clara father shares his 14-year-old son's heartbreaking story. The teen died by suicide last week. He was a freshman and a member of his high school junior varsity football team. His dad says his teammates bullied him because he was homeless.
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - 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 took his own life 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 started school at Santa Clara High just three months ago.
"He was trying to make me happy," Bautista said. "He was trying to be a better child."
Jose died by suicide last Tuesday.
The grieving, single dad said the teen was the victim of bullying at his high school where he was a freshman.
"I miss hearing him, seeing him. I miss picking him up," Bautista said.
Dad said he would pick up Jose from football practice at Santa Clara High where he was a member of the junior varsity team.
Bautista said after his son was found dead, he heard from other students that his son's teammates bullied him for being homeless and having no mother.
"They were spitting on him, hitting him on the back of the helmet," Bautista said.
Bautista said the other football players also found out his son was living at Bill Wilson Center, a nonprofit shelter that helps the unhoused and troubled youth .
Bautista said his son was being treated there for mental health issues.
Dad and son became homeless after they were evicted from their apartment earlier this year.
"We were bonding more. He was waiting for a place to live instead of the 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 if the school district is holding those suspected of bullying his son accountable.
School Superintendent Gary Waddell released a written statement which said in part, "administrators have already taken initial actions in response. We in no way condone bullying, harassment, or retribution of any kind and take any such allegations seriously. We strive to provide as many facts as possible to the community while preserving our duty 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 like it happened to me."
He has started an online fundraiser to help pay for the burial of his son.
Details of Jose's funeral and memorial can be accessed here.
The school district and the Santa Clara Police Department said they are actively investigating Jose's death.
Amber Lee is a reporter with KTVU. Email Amber at Amber.Lee@Fox.com or text/leave message at 510-599-3922. Follow her on Facebook @AmberKTVU, Instagram @AmberKTVU or Twitter @AmberKTVU