The Definitive Guide for Dimmitt, Texas Families: Understanding Hazing, Your Legal Rights, and Protecting Your Child in 2025

If Your Child Was Hazed at a Texas University, You Are Not Alone

For parents in Dimmitt, Castro County, and across the Texas Panhandle, sending your child to college is a proud milestone. You imagine them gaining an education, building lifelong friendships, and creating a brighter future at schools like Texas A&M, Texas Tech, or West Texas A&M. The last thing you expect is a panicked call, a rushed trip to a distant hospital, or the devastating news that your child has been seriously injured—not in an accident, but at the hands of a group they trusted to be their community.

Right now, in Houston, we are leading one of the most serious hazing cases in the country. Our client, Leonel Bermudez, a transfer student at the University of Houston, endured a fall 2025 pledge period with the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter that nearly killed him. According to a Click2Houston investigation, Bermudez was forced through extreme physical abuse, humiliating rituals, and coerced consumption of food until vomiting. The culmination was a brutal workout on November 3, 2025, involving over 100 push-ups and 500 squats. In the days that followed, he collapsed. His urine turned brown—a telltale sign of severe muscle breakdown. He was hospitalized for four days with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, facing the risk of permanent organ damage.

This is not an isolated incident from a distant city. It is a current, active $10 million lawsuit that we, at Attorney911, are litigating right now. It reveals the brutal reality of modern hazing: systematic, physically dangerous, and occurring at major Texas institutions. For families in Dimmitt, with deep roots in hard work and community, this betrayal of trust is unimaginable. Yet, it happens. This comprehensive guide exists to arm you with the knowledge we use every day to fight for families like yours: what hazing really is, the Texas laws that protect your child, the organizations involved, and the precise steps to take if the unthinkable happens.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES:

• If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:
  • Call 911 for medical emergencies.
  • Then call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). We provide immediate help—that’s why we’re the Legal Emergency Lawyers™.
• In the first 48 hours:
  • Get medical attention immediately, even if your child insists they are “fine.”
  • Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted: screenshot group chats and texts immediately, photograph injuries from multiple angles, save any physical items.
  • Write down everything while memory is fresh: who, what, when, where.
  • Do NOT: confront the fraternity/sorority, sign anything from the university or an insurance company, post details on public social media, or let your child delete messages.
• Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours. Evidence disappears fast. We can help preserve it and protect your child’s rights. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like Beyond the Stereotypes

Hazing is not a relic of the past or mere “horseplay.” For Dimmitt families, it’s crucial to understand that hazing has evolved into a calculated, often digitally-facilitated pattern of abuse that can happen in fraternities, sororities, athletic teams, spirit groups like the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets, marching bands, and other campus organizations. Texas law defines it broadly: any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or membership.

The Modern Hazing Playbook:

• Alcohol & Substance Hazing: Forced consumption during “lineups,” “Big/Little” nights, or drinking games like “Bible study.” The goal is often rapid intoxication to the point of illness or unconsciousness.
• Physical Hazing: “Smokings” or extreme calisthenics designed to cause pain and exhaustion (like the 100+ push-ups in the UH case), paddling, sleep deprivation, exposure to extreme elements, or forced consumption of disgusting, spicy, or excessive amounts of food (milk, hot dogs, etc.).
• Psychological & Humiliating Hazing: Verbal abuse, public shaming, “roasts,” forced servitude (chauffeuring, cleaning), wearing degrading costumes or “pledge fanny packs” with humiliating items, and social isolation.
• Sexualized Hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, and demeaning rituals that blur the line into sexual assault.
• Digital Hazing: 24/7 monitoring via group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp), demands for immediate responses at all hours, forced posting of embarrassing content on social media, and cyberstalking via location-sharing apps.

The Pi Kappa Phi case at UH is a textbook example: pledges were required to carry a “fanny pack” at all times containing condoms, a sex toy, and nicotine devices; they were sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding”; they were forced to lie in vomit-soaked grass; and another pledge was allegedly hog-tied face-down on a table for over an hour. This is the grim reality behind the letters.

The Texas Legal Framework: Your Child’s Rights and Institutional Accountability

Texas takes hazing seriously. The primary law is found in the Texas Education Code, Chapter 37, Subchapter F. For Dimmitt families navigating a crisis, here’s what you need to know:

Texas Hazing Law (Plain English Summary):

• It’s a Crime: Hazing can be a misdemeanor, but it becomes a state jail felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death—exactly what happened to Leonel Bermudez at UH.
• Consent is NOT a Defense: Even if your child felt pressured to “go along with it,” Texas law (§ 37.155) explicitly states that consent does not excuse the behavior. The power imbalance and coercion are recognized by the courts.
• Individuals AND Organizations Can Be Liable: Not only can the students who directly participate be charged, but the fraternity/sorority chapter and even the national headquarters can face criminal fines and civil liability.
• Duty to Report: Members or officers who know about hazing and fail to report it can also face misdemeanor charges.
• Good-Faith Reporter Protections: Texas provides immunity for those who report hazing in good faith. Many universities have medical amnesty policies to encourage calling 911 without fear of minor-in-possession charges.

Civil Lawsuits vs. Criminal Charges:

• Criminal Case: Brought by the state (DA’s office). Goal is punishment: jail time, fines, probation. As in the UH case, police and prosecutors may investigate.
• Civil Lawsuit: Brought by the victim and family. Goal is compensation for damages (medical bills, pain and suffering, lost future earnings) and accountability. These are the cases we specialize in at Attorney911. A criminal conviction is not required to file a civil suit.

Who Can Be Held Responsible in a Civil Case?
Our approach in the Bermudez lawsuit exemplifies holding the full chain accountable. We sued:

1. The Individual Perpetrators (13 Pi Kappa Phi members, including the president and pledgemaster).
2. The Local Chapter (Beta Nu chapter of Pi Kappa Phi).
3. The Chapter’s Housing Corporation (a separate legal entity that often holds insurance).
4. The National Fraternity Headquarters (Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Inc.).
5. The University of Houston and the UH System Board of Regents.

For a Dimmitt family, this means the path to justice isn’t limited to the few students in the room. It extends to the deep-pocketed national organizations that allow these cultures to persist and the universities that have a duty to keep your child safe.

A Nationwide Pattern of Tragedy: Why National Fraternity Histories Matter in Texas

The hazing that injured Leonel Bermudez at UH is not unique to Pi Kappa Phi or to Texas. It is part of a devastating national pattern. When we represent a family, we investigate the national history of the organization involved. This pattern evidence proves the conduct was foreseeable and that the national headquarters failed to take adequate steps to prevent it.

• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike): Pledge Stone Foltz died at Bowling Green State University (2021) after being forced to drink a bottle of alcohol. His family secured a $10 million settlement.
• Beta Theta Pi: Timothy Piazza died at Penn State (2017) after a night of forced drinking and falls; the case led to a new Pennsylvania anti-hazing law.
• Phi Delta Theta: Max Gruver died at LSU (2017) in a “Bible study” drinking game, leading to the Max Gruver Act in Louisiana.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): Has faced numerous lawsuits, including one at Texas A&M where pledges suffered severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts from being doused in industrial cleaner.
• Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI): Danny Santulli at the University of Missouri (2021) suffered permanent brain damage from forced drinking; his family settled with 22 defendants.

These national organizations operate chapters at every major Texas university. The same rituals, the same excuses, and the same catastrophic outcomes repeat because the systems of accountability fail. At Attorney911, we use this national database of incidents to build unassailable cases, showing juries and insurance companies that what happened to your child was not an “accident,” but a predictable and preventable outcome.

The Texas University Landscape: Where Dimmitt Families Send Their Kids

Parents in Dimmitt and Castro County proudly send their students to universities across our great state. The connections are often personal and community-driven. Understanding the specific Greek ecosystems and hazing histories at these schools is critical.

Texas A&M University & The Corps of Cadets Culture

Many Panhandle families have deep ties to Aggieland. Beyond its storied traditions, Texas A&M has a complex Greek life and the unique, tradition-heavy Corps of Cadets.

• Snapshot: A massive Greek system with over 50 fraternity and sorority chapters. The Corps of Cadets is a distinct culture with its own disciplinary systems.
• Documented Incidents: Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) faced a lawsuit after pledges sustained severe chemical burns. The Corps has faced allegations of degrading hazing, including a lawsuit alleging a cadet was bound in a “roasted pig” position. The university maintains its own disciplinary processes.
• For Dimmitt Families: A hazing case at A&M may involve the Brazos County courts, College Station PD, and the university’s own network of housing corporations and alumni groups. The Corps adds a layer of military-style tradition that can complicate reporting.

Texas Tech University

As a major university serving West Texas, Texas Tech is a common destination for Dimmitt students.

• Snapshot: A large, active Greek community in Lubbock with a significant presence on campus.
• Key Context: Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine tracks multiple Greek housing corporations and alumni chapters registered in Lubbock. For example, public IRS records show entities like the “Epsilon Nu Housing Corporation” operating in Lubbock.
• For Dimmitt Families: Jurisdiction would likely fall to Lubbock County courts. The geographic proximity means families may be more directly involved in the legal process.

West Texas A&M University

For many in the Panhandle, WTAMU in Canyon is the local choice.

• Snapshot: A smaller Greek system but not immune to national patterns.
• Key Context: Public records, like the Frank Heflin Foundation (EIN: 203507402) in Canyon, TX, show the financial and alumni structures that support fraternity life, in this case linked to Phi Delta Theta alumni.
• For Dimmitt Families: Cases here would be handled in Randall County courts. The closer community can impact both support and pressure during an investigation.

University of Houston & The Flagship Case

While farther away, UH attracts students from all over Texas. Our active litigation there serves as a direct blueprint for how we handle cases statewide.

• Snapshot: A large, diverse commuter and residential campus with a robust Greek system encompassing IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, and Multicultural councils.
• The Active Case: As reported by ABC13, the Pi Kappa Phi hazing involved multiple locations (the chapter house, a Culmore Drive residence, Yellowstone Boulevard Park), a detailed timeline of abuse, and a swift institutional response: the chapter was suspended November 6 and voted to surrender its charter November 14, 2025.
• For Dimmitt Families: This case proves that universities and nationals can be compelled to act when faced with a severe, well-documented lawsuit. The legal strategies we use in Harris County are applicable everywhere.

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: Uncovering the Organizations Behind the Letters

When you hear “Pi Kappa Phi,” you might think of a group of college students. In reality, it is a network of legal and financial entities. Our firm maintains a proprietary data engine built from public records to map this network—a critical advantage for our clients.

Public Records Directory: Greek Organizations Serving Texas Families

For a Dimmitt family, the maze of organizations can be overwhelming. We track them so you don’t have to. Here is a snapshot of the type of entities we identify from public IRS and state filings:

• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc (EIN: 462267515) – Frisco, TX 75035
• Pi Kappa Phi Delta Omega Chapter Building Corporation (EIN: 371768785) – Missouri City, TX 77459
• Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc (EIN: 133048786) – College Station, TX 77845
• Frank Heflin Foundation (EIN: 203507402) – Canyon, TX 79015 (Phi Delta Theta alumni)
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc (EIN: 741380362) – Fort Worth, TX 76147
• Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter (EIN: 746084905) – Houston, TX 77204

These are not just mailing addresses. They are legal entities that may hold insurance policies, own property, and be ultimately responsible for the conduct of their members. In the UH case, we sued the Beta Nu Housing Corporation. This level of investigation is what separates a surface-level complaint from a comprehensive lawsuit that reaches every liable party.

Building a Catastrophic Injury Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

Hazing cases are won on evidence and strategy. From the moment you contact us, our focus is on building an undeniable record.

Critical Evidence We Secure:

1. Digital Forensics: Deleted GroupMe, WhatsApp, and text messages. Social media posts, stories, and location data. We work with experts to recover what chapters try to erase.
2. Medical Documentation: Hospital records diagnosing conditions like rhabdomyolysis (with creatine kinase levels), kidney injury, concussions, or PTSD. These records objectively quantify the harm.
3. Internal Chapter Records: Pledge manuals, “big/little” assignments, meeting minutes, and communications with national headquarters obtained through litigation discovery.
4. University Records: Prior disciplinary actions against the same chapter, obtained via public records requests or subpoenas, proving a pattern the school knew about.
5. Witness Testimony: Other pledges, former members, roommates, and neighbors. We know how to interview witnesses who may be fearful or guilty.

The Damages We Fight to Recover:

• Economic Damages: All medical bills (ER, hospitalization, surgery, future care like kidney monitoring), lost wages, and diminished future earning capacity if injuries are permanent.
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, suffering, mental anguish, humiliation, and the loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages: In the worst cases, families can recover for funeral costs, loss of companionship, and emotional suffering.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of especially reckless or malicious conduct, courts can award damages to punish the defendants and deter future behavior.

Our insider knowledge is key. Mr. Lupe Peña, our associate attorney, spent years as an insurance defense attorney for a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers will try to deny, delay, and undervalue your claim. We anticipate their tactics and build our case to defeat them.

Practical Guides for Dimmitt Parents, Students, and Witnesses

For Parents: Warning Signs and First Steps

Trust your instincts. Warning signs include:

• Unexplained injuries, bruises, or burns.
• Extreme fatigue, sleep deprivation, or drastic weight change.
• Sudden secrecy about organizational activities or fear when their phone buzzes.
• Personality changes: anxiety, depression, withdrawal.
• Financial pressure for unexpected “fines” or dues.

If you suspect hazing:

1. Talk Calmly: Ask open-ended questions. “I’m worried about you. Is anything happening that makes you feel unsafe or humiliated?”
2. Prioritize Health: Seek medical evaluation immediately. Tell the doctor about the suspected hazing.
3. Preserve Evidence: Help your child screenshot ALL group chats and texts. Photograph injuries. Secure any physical objects (paddles, costumes).
4. Contact Us Before Reporting: Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 before you report to the university or police. We can advise on how to report in a way that protects your child’s rights and preserves evidence. Universities often have a primary interest in controlling the narrative.

For Students: Is This Hazing? How to Get Out Safely.

If you feel pressured, scared, or humiliated to belong, it’s hazing. Your “consent” under pressure is not a legal defense for them.

• Your Safety is Paramount: If you are in danger, call 911.
• You Have the Right to Quit: Send a simple email/text: “I resign my membership/pledgeship effective immediately.” You do not owe an explanation.
• Document Everything: Screenshot, photograph, record (Texas is a one-party consent state). Keep a private journal with dates and details.
• Report Anonymously: You can report to the National Anti-Hazing Hotline at 1-888-NOT-HAZE or through many university anonymous portals.

Critical Mistakes That Can Harm Your Case

1. Deleting Evidence: The impulse to “make it go away” destroys your case. Preserve everything.
2. Confronting the Organization Directly: This triggers evidence destruction and witness coaching.
3. Signing University Agreements: Do not sign any waiver, release, or “resolution” agreement from the university without an attorney’s review.
4. Posting on Social Media: Defense attorneys monitor everything. Inconsistencies can be used against you.
5. Waiting Too Long: Evidence vanishes, witnesses graduate, memories fade. The Texas statute of limitations is generally two years, but building a case takes time. Act now.

Why Attorney911 Is Uniquely Equipped to Fight for Dimmitt Families

When your family faces a hazing crisis, you need more than a lawyer; you need a team that understands the institutional battlefield. As The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC, operating as Attorney911, we bring a combination of insider knowledge, proven litigation experience, and a deep commitment to Texas families.

Our Competitive Advantages in Hazing Litigation:

• Insider Insurance Knowledge: Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him) spent years as a defense attorney for a national insurance firm. He knows the exact strategies insurers use to deny hazing claims. We don’t guess their playbook; we used to run it.
• Complex Institutional Litigation Experience: Managing Partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few Texas attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation, taking on billion-dollar defendants. Universities and national fraternities have deep pockets and elite lawyers—we are not intimidated.
• Active, High-Stakes Case Leadership: We are not theorizing about hazing law; we are actively litigating the $10 million Leonel Bermudez vs. UH & Pi Kappa Phi case right now. This is your proof of capability.
• Data-Driven Investigation: Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—tracking over 1,400 Greek entities across 25 metros—means we start investigations with a map, not a blank page. We find the housing corporations, alumni foundations, and insurance policies others miss.
• Dual Civil & Criminal Expertise: Mr. Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the criminal exposure that often accompanies hazing, allowing us to advise clients holistically.
• Spanish-Language Services: Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish (Se habla Español), ensuring we can serve all Texas families with comfort and clarity.
• A Network of Experts: We work with medical specialists, digital forensics experts, economists, and life-care planners to build the full value of your case.

We serve families across Texas from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. For Dimmitt and Panhandle families, this means you have a dedicated, experienced team ready to fight for you, no matter where in Texas your child was hurt.

Your Next Step: A Free, Confidential Consultation with Attorney911

If you are reading this because your worst fears have been realized, we are deeply sorry for what you are enduring. The path ahead may seem daunting, but you do not have to walk it alone.

We invite you to contact The Manginello Law Firm for a free, completely confidential, no-obligation consultation. In this conversation, we will:

• Listen compassionately to your story.
• Explain your legal rights and options under Texas law.
• Discuss the investigation process and what we can do immediately.
• Answer your questions about costs—we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.
• Help you make an informed decision about the best path forward for your family.

You can reach us 24/7 for an immediate legal emergency. For a consultation, contact:

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email Ralph Manginello: ralph@atty911.com
Email Lupe Peña (Se habla Español): lupe@atty911.com

For Dimmitt, Hereford, Tulia, and all of Castro County—when hazing shatters the promise of college, we are here to help you pick up the pieces and fight for the accountability and justice your family deserves.

Watch our educational video on preserving evidence with your phone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
Learn about Texas statutes of limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
Understand common client mistakes to avoid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY

Legal Disclaimer
This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC. Hazing laws and university policies can change. The information in this guide is current as of late 2025. Every case is unique, and outcomes depend on specific facts and evidence. If you or your child has been affected by hazing, we strongly encourage you to consult with a qualified Texas attorney to review your specific situation.
The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911 | Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas | Call 1-888-ATTY-911.