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Parents and residents urge Orange County action after student suicide; trustees offer help and follow-up
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Summary
Multiple public commenters urged the board to pursue stronger suicide-prevention screening, independent review and accountability after the death of 13-year-old Mia Mejia; trustees expressed condolences, offered to assist with referrals and one trustee offered to write to the district attorney and Anaheim district on the family’s behalf.
During public comment at the Orange County Board of Education meeting, family members and community residents asked the board to act after the death of a 13‑year‑old student and to expand county suicide‑prevention efforts.
Veronica, who identified herself as Mia’s mother, said her daughter 'took her life after a series of assault at Lexington Junior High School' and that she had sought help from the Anaheim Union High School District without receiving the independent investigation, disciplinary action or resources she requested. In her remarks she said, 'I AM SEEKING ACCOUNTABILITY.' The board offered condolences; multiple trustees thanked her for speaking and one trustee (trustee for the student’s district) said they would write to the Orange County District Attorney and the Anaheim School District to request further investigation.
Other public commenters urged county‑wide suicide prevention and screening. Bianca Garcia cited data and asked Orange County to adopt initiatives similar to San Diego County’s COPES program, which used a state grant to develop universal screening and a suicide-risk screener based on the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale. Bianca said the county should retrain social workers and counselors, create a countywide database of resources and invest in prevention efforts.
Roberto Garcia called for mandatory Title IX education for students, comprehensive ethnic‑sensitivity and anti‑bias training for staff, and anonymous student evaluations; he also described survey figures about student trust in staff and perceptions of safety. Trustees and staff responded with condolences, noted existing screening programs used in county schools, and offered to follow up with family requests where the board has appropriate authority.
What’s next: A trustee offered to send letters to the Orange County District Attorney and Anaheim School District on the family’s behalf, and board members said staff will follow up where appropriate. Several commenters said they would provide follow‑up information by email to the board.
