Hazing in Texas: A Comprehensive Guide for Town of Bells Families Seeking Justice and Accountability

When Hazing Hits Home: A Warning for Town of Bells Parents

Imagine your child, a freshman excited about their new start at a Texas university, texts you less and less. Their grades begin to slip. When they come home to Town of Bells for a weekend, you notice unexplained bruises and a new, guarded anxiety. They dismiss your concerns with a mumbled excuse about “tough workouts” and “team bonding.” What you may not know, and what they may be too afraid or ashamed to tell you, is that they could be trapped in a dangerous cycle of hazing—a practice that is not only morally wrong but illegal under Texas law.

For families in Town of Bells, Grayson County, and across North Texas, this nightmare became a legal reality in late 2025. That’s when our firm, Attorney911, filed a $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student, against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity’s Beta Nu chapter, its national headquarters, its housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders. The details are chilling and serve as a stark warning for every Texas family: extreme hazing is happening right now at our state’s universities, and it can cause permanent, life-altering harm.

According to exclusive reports from Click2Houston and ABC13, Bermudez’s pledge period included being forced to carry a degrading “pledge fanny pack” 24/7, enduring hours of sprints and bear crawls at Houston’s Yellowstone Boulevard Park, lying in vomit-soaked grass, and being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding.” The physical abuse culminated in a “workout” where he was forced to perform over 100 push-ups and 500 squats. Shortly after, he was hospitalized for four days, diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis—a severe skeletal muscle breakdown—and acute kidney failure. He passed brown urine and faced the real risk of permanent kidney damage.

This is not an isolated incident from a distant state. This is a current, active lawsuit in Harris County, Texas, involving a major state university and a national fraternity. It proves that the most severe forms of hazing are present on Texas campuses. For parents in Town of Bells—whether your child attends nearby Austin College in Sherman, Texas A&M University, the University of Texas at Austin, or any school in between—understanding hazing, your legal rights, and the resources available is critical.

This guide is written specifically for you, the parents and families of Town of Bells and Grayson County. We will explain what modern hazing truly looks like, break down Texas and federal law, examine the realities at major Texas universities, and outline the practical steps you can take to protect your child and seek accountability. Our goal is to empower you with knowledge and show you that you are not alone.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR TOWN OF BELLS FAMILIES

If you suspect your child is being hazed or has been injured in a hazing incident, time is your most critical asset. Evidence disappears quickly.

Within the First 48 Hours:

1. Prioritize Medical Care: If injured or ill, go to the ER immediately. Tell medical staff the injuries may be hazing-related.
2. Preserve Digital Evidence: Help your child screenshot ALL relevant group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage), text messages, and social media posts before they are deleted. Our video on using your phone to document evidence explains best practices.
3. Document Everything: Write down a timeline with names, dates, locations, and what your child tells you.
4. Contact an Attorney: Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for an immediate, confidential consultation. We can guide you on preserving evidence and navigating next steps.

Do NOT:

• Confront the fraternity, sorority, or team directly.
• Let your child delete messages or “clean up” their phone.
• Sign any documents from the university or an insurance company.
• Post details on public social media.

Hazing in 2025: Beyond the Stereotypes

Hazing is no longer just about silly pranks or secret handshakes. It is a spectrum of abuse that exploits power imbalances to force, coerce, or intimidate new members into acts that endanger their mental or physical health for the sake of affiliation, initiation, or maintaining status. For Town of Bells families, recognizing the subtle and not-so-subtle signs is the first step to intervention.

The Modern Hazing Spectrum

1. Subtle Hazing (Often Dismissed as “Tradition”):

• Mandatory Servitude: Being on-call 24/7 for errands, cleaning, or as a designated driver at all hours.
• Social Isolation & Control: Being cut off from non-member friends, requiring permission to socialize, or having communication monitored through group chats.
• Psychological Manipulation: Being assigned derogatory names, forced to wear identifying clothing (like the “pledge fanny pack” in the UH case), or subjected to “interviews” designed to humiliate.

2. Harassment Hazing:

• Sleep Deprivation: Mandatory late-night or early-morning “meetings,” study sessions, or workouts.
• Forced Consumption: Being made to eat or drink unpleasant, excessive, or bizarre food items (like the milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns forced on UH pledges).
• Verbal Abuse: Yelling, screaming, and degrading language framed as “building toughness.”
• Extreme, Punitive Exercise: “Smokings” or calisthenics far beyond normal training, used as punishment.

3. Violent, Dangerous Hazing:

• Forced/Coerced Alcohol Consumption: Lineup drinking games, “Big/Little” nights with handles of liquor, or games where wrong answers mandate drinking.
• Physical Assault: Paddling, beating, branding, or dangerous physical “tests” like blindfolded tackles.
• Sexualized Hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, or other sexually degrading behavior.
• Environmental Dangers: Exposure to extreme cold or heat, kidnapping, or transportation to remote locations.

The line between these categories is often blurred, and “subtle” hazing always sets the stage for more severe abuse. The Leonel Bermudez case at UH included elements from all three tiers: the humiliating fanny pack (subtle), forced interviews and sleep deprivation (harassment), and the violent workouts leading to organ failure (violent).

Texas Hazing Law: Your Legal Framework

Texas has some of the clearest anti-hazing statutes in the country, designed to protect students like yours. Understanding this law is crucial for Town of Bells families seeking accountability.

The Texas Education Code Chapter 37, Subchapter F

The law defines hazing broadly as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student for the purpose of pledging, initiation, or affiliation with an organization, that:

• Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of the student.

Key Provisions for Town of Bells Families:

• Criminal Penalties: Hazing is a crime. It can range from a Class B misdemeanor to 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” (Sec. 37.155): This is vital. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law recognizes that peer pressure and power imbalance negate true consent. Fraternities cannot claim immunity because your child showed up.
• Organizational Liability (Sec. 37.153): The organization itself (the fraternity, sorority, or team) can be prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 if it authorized or encouraged the hazing.
• Personal Liability for Failure to Report: Members or officers who know about hazing and fail to report it can also face criminal charges.
• Immunity for Good Faith Reporting (Sec. 37.154): Students who report hazing or call for medical help in an emergency are protected from criminal and civil liability related to that report. This is meant to remove the barrier to calling 911.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Two Paths to Accountability

• Criminal Case: Brought by the State of Texas (e.g., Grayson County District Attorney or Harris County DA). Goal is punishment (jail, fines, probation).
• Civil Lawsuit: Brought by the victim and their family. Goal is compensation for damages (medical bills, pain and suffering, future care) and holding all responsible parties accountable.

These cases can proceed simultaneously. A criminal conviction is powerful evidence in a civil case, but you do not need to wait for criminal charges to file a civil lawsuit. The Bermudez lawsuit is a civil action seeking compensation for his catastrophic injuries.

Federal Laws That Apply

• The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires universities receiving federal funds to report hazing incidents more transparently and strengthen prevention programs.
• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment or gender-based discrimination, federal Title IX procedures and obligations are triggered.
• The Clery Act: Requires universities to report certain crimes, including hazing-related assaults, in annual security reports.

Where Town of Bells Families Send Their Kids: The Texas Campus Landscape

Parents in Town of Bells and Grayson County have deep educational ties across the state. Your children may attend the excellent local institution, Austin College in Sherman, or venture to the major flagship universities that define Texas higher education. Each campus has its own Greek life ecosystem and hazing history.

Local and Regional Hubs

• Austin College (Sherman, Grayson County): A cornerstone of the local community. While smaller than state schools, its Greek life and student organizations are not immune to hazing risks. Incidents here would fall under the jurisdiction of Sherman police and Grayson County courts.
• University of North Texas (Denton, Denton County): A major destination for North Texas students. UNT has a large and active Greek community with its own conduct history.
• Texas A&M University-Commerce (Commerce, Hunt County): Another regional university with Greek life and athletic programs.

Major Statewide Universities

Town of Bells families also proudly send their children to Texas’s most prominent universities, where Greek life is often a dominant social force. The data from our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine tracks the organizations at these very schools.

University of Houston (UH): The site of our flagship Leonel Bermudez vs. Pi Kappa Phi case. This lawsuit alleges not only individual member misconduct but institutional failures by UH and the Pi Kappa Phi national organization. It is a current example of the extreme physical hazing happening in Texas.

Texas A&M University (College Station): Home to a massive Greek system and the storied Corps of Cadets. Hazing allegations have surfaced in both spheres, including a recent lawsuit against the Corps alleging degrading sexualized hazing and a lawsuit against a Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter where pledges suffered severe chemical burns.

University of Texas at Austin (UT): UT maintains one of the most transparent hazing violation logs in the country. Public records show repeated sanctions against fraternities like Pi Kappa Alpha for forced milk drinking and strenuous calisthenics, and against spirit groups for abusive behaviors.

Southern Methodist University (SMU) & Baylor University (Waco): These prominent private universities have active Greek life and have faced their own hazing scandals, from paddling incidents to team suspensions.

The common thread is that no major Texas university with Greek life or traditional student organizations is free from hazing risk. The organizations present on these campuses are often chapters of national groups with documented, violent histories.

The Greek Ecosystem Serving Texas Students: A Data-Driven Look

One of our firm’s key advantages in hazing litigation is our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine. We maintain a proprietary database built from public records—including IRS filings, university rosters, and national directories—that allows us to map the entire network of Greek organizations in Texas. This means we don’t start from scratch when investigating a case; we already know the legal entities, their insurance carriers, and their connections.

For Town of Bells families, understanding this network is empowering. The fraternity or sorority your child joins is not just a local club. It is typically part of a complex web including:

• The undergraduate chapter at the university.
• A local housing corporation (a legal entity that owns the house).
• An alumni chapter or foundation.
• The national headquarters, which collects dues, sets policies, and carries insurance.

When hazing occurs, liability can extend across this entire chain. Our data helps us identify every potentially responsible party.

Public Records Directory: North Texas & Statewide Greek Organizations

The following are real examples of Texas-registered Greek organizations from public IRS (B83) and industry data. This illustrates the scale and structure of the system your child may be engaging with.

Examples from the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metro Area (Relevant to North Texas):

• Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity, EIN 742911848, Fort Worth, TX 76244. (Cause IQ Metro Listing).
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc, EIN 741380362, Fort Worth, TX 76147. (IRS B83 Filing).
• Kappa Delta Sorority – Gamma Beta Chapter, Denton, TX (Texas Woman’s University chapter). (Cause IQ Metro Listing).
• Phi Chi Theta – Gamma Iota Chapter, Carrollton, TX (Business fraternity chapter). (Cause IQ Metro Listing).

Examples of University-Focused House Corporations:

• Building Corporation of Delta Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi, EIN 746047117, Austin, TX 78705 (UT Austin chapter house corporation). (IRS B83 Filing).
• Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter, EIN 746084905, Houston, TX 77204 (University of Houston chapter). (IRS B83 Filing).
• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc, EIN 462267515, Frisco, TX 75035. (IRS B83 Filing).

Statewide Academic & Honor Societies:

• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, EIN 900293166, College Station, TX 77843 (Texas A&M University chapter). (IRS B83 Filing).
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, EIN 463831593, Austin, TX 78723 (Texas State University chapter). (IRS B83 Filing).

This data underscores a crucial point: these are not informal clubs. They are formal, often tax-exempt, organizations with legal identities. When they fail to prevent hazing, they can be held legally and financially accountable. Our firm uses this deep organizational intelligence to build the strongest possible case for families.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

If your family is facing the aftermath of a hazing incident, knowing how a case is built can reduce fear and uncertainty. Our approach combines investigative rigor, legal strategy, and a relentless focus on our client’s recovery.

Critical Evidence in the Digital Age

The “party line” from organizations is often, “It was just a party that got out of hand.” Evidence proves otherwise. We immediately work to secure:

1. Digital Communications: Screenshots of GroupMe, WhatsApp, and text message threads showing planning, coercion, and bragging about the events. Deleted messages can often be recovered through forensic means.
2. Photos & Videos: Media from the event itself, often shared within group chats or on social media platforms like Instagram and Snapchat.
3. Internal Organization Documents: Pledge manuals, “tradition” books, meeting minutes, or emails that outline or reference hazing activities.
4. University Records: Obtained through discovery or public records requests, these can show prior complaints against the same organization, proving a pattern of known misconduct the university failed to address.
5. Medical Records: Documentation of injuries, diagnoses like rhabdomyolysis or PTSD, and records of ongoing treatment are the foundation for damage calculations.

The Bermudez case is built on such evidence: medical records proving acute kidney failure, witness accounts of the forced workouts, and the documented timeline of events.

Overcoming Institutional Defense Tactics

National fraternities and universities have experienced defense lawyers and deep-pocketed insurers. They often employ similar tactics we know how to counter:

• “Rogue Individuals” Defense: Nationals claim the local chapter violated policies. We use their own historical data to show pattern and practice—the same types of hazing occur across multiple chapters, proving foreseeability.
• “Consent” Defense: They claim the victim participated willingly. Texas law (Sec. 37.155) nullifies this, and we demonstrate the coercive environment.
• Insurance Coverage Denials: Insurers may claim hazing is an “intentional act” excluded from coverage. Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña, uses his prior experience as an insurance defense lawyer to navigate these bad-faith disputes and maximize available coverage.

Recoverable Damages for Victims and Families

A civil lawsuit seeks to make the victim whole and hold defendants accountable. Recoverable damages can include:

• Economic Damages: All past and future medical expenses, lost wages, lost earning capacity, and educational costs (e.g., withdrawn semester tuition).
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional suffering, trauma, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages: In the unspeakable tragedy of a hazing death, families can seek damages for funeral costs, loss of financial support, and the profound loss of companionship and guidance.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of particularly egregious or malicious conduct, courts may award punitive damages to punish the defendants and deter future behavior.

We work with life-care planners, economists, and medical experts to fully document the lifetime impact of catastrophic hazing injuries, ensuring we seek a level of compensation that truly addresses our client’s needs.

Practical Steps for Town of Bells Parents and Students

For Parents: A Protective Action Plan

• Know the Warning Signs: Sudden secrecy, withdrawal from family, unexplained injuries, extreme fatigue, declining grades, and constant anxiety about phone notifications.
• Have the Conversation: Ask open-ended questions. “What does pledge life actually involve?” “Has anything made you feel uncomfortable or unsafe?” “Do you feel like you can say no?”
• If You Suspect Hazing:
  1. Document: Write down observations and what your child shares. Note dates, times, and names.
  2. Preserve Evidence: If your child shows you messages, help them take screenshots immediately.
  3. Seek Medical Care: Health comes first. A medical record also creates a timely, professional account of injuries.
  4. Consult an Attorney Before Reporting: An experienced hazing lawyer can advise you on how to report to the university or police in a way that protects your child’s rights and preserves evidence. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911.

For Students: Your Safety and Rights

• Trust Your Instincts: If it feels dangerous, humiliating, or coercive, it likely is hazing.
• You Have the Right to Leave: You can quit anytime. Your safety and dignity are more important than any organization.
• Preserve Evidence: Take screenshots. Save emails. Take photos of injuries. Tell a trusted friend or family member what is happening.
• Know Your Reporting Options: You can report to the university’s Dean of Students, the Office of Student Conduct, or campus police. Texas law provides immunity for good-faith reporting.
• Seek Support: Talk to a counselor at the university health center. Their records can also document the psychological impact.

Critical Mistakes to Avoid

We have a dedicated video on client mistakes that can ruin an injury case. In hazing cases, avoid these pitfalls:

1. Deleting Digital Evidence: This is the #1 mistake. It looks like a cover-up and destroys your case.
2. Confronting the Organization Directly: This gives them a head start to destroy evidence, lawyer up, and coach witnesses.
3. Signing University “Resolution” Forms: Universities may offer a quick, confidential resolution that requires you to waive your right to sue. Do not sign anything without legal advice.
4. Waiting Too Long: Texas has a statute of limitations. Evidence degrades, witnesses scatter, and memories fade. Time is not on your side. Learn more about deadlines in our video on Texas statutes of limitations.

Why Attorney911 is the Right Firm for Texas Hazing Cases

When your family is facing a crisis involving powerful universities and national organizations, you need advocates with specific, proven expertise. As the Legal Emergency Lawyers™, we bring a unique combination of skills directly to your hazing case.

Our Proven Litigation Experience Against Massive Institutions

Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, was one of the few plaintiff attorneys involved in the BP Texas City refinery explosion litigation. Taking on a billion-dollar corporation taught us how to investigate complex institutional failures, manage vast amounts of evidence, and stand firm against the deepest pockets. We apply the same tenacity and resourcefulness to hazing cases against national fraternities and university systems.

Insider Knowledge of Insurance Company Tactics

Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña, spent years as a defense lawyer for a national insurance defense firm. He knows firsthand how insurance companies for fraternities and universities evaluate claims, employ delay tactics, and fight coverage. This insider perspective is invaluable in anticipating and countering their strategies to ensure our clients receive full and fair compensation.

A Data-Driven Investigative Advantage

As demonstrated in this guide, we don’t rely on guesswork. Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine gives us a map of the Greek landscape. We understand the corporate structures, insurance relationships, and historical patterns that define these organizations. This allows us to launch faster, more targeted investigations from day one.

Comprehensive Damages Analysis for Life-Altering Injuries

Hazing injuries like rhabdomyolysis, traumatic brain injury, or severe PTSD have lifelong consequences. We work with medical specialists, economists, and life-care planners to document the full scope of future medical needs, lost earning potential, and profound personal suffering. We build cases that reflect the true, long-term cost of these injuries.

We Serve Town of Bells and All of Texas

While our offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve hazing victims and their families across the state, including those in Town of Bells, Grayson County, and all of North Texas. The legal principles and strategies that secure justice in Harris County apply equally in Sherman or Denton. We are committed to being accessible to every Texas family in need.

Your Next Step: A Confidential, No-Obligation Consultation

If you are a parent in Town of Bells reading this because you fear for your child’s safety, or if your child has already been injured by hazing, please know that you have options. You do not have to navigate this alone against institutions that prioritize their reputation over your child’s wellbeing.

We offer a free, completely confidential case evaluation. In this conversation, we will:

• Listen carefully to your story.
• Explain your family’s legal rights under Texas law.
• Discuss the investigative process and what evidence is crucial.
• Outline potential legal strategies and realistic pathways forward.
• Answer your questions about the process, timeline, and costs.

We work on a contingency fee basis for civil hazing cases, which means you pay no upfront attorney fees. We only get paid if we successfully recover compensation for you. Learn more about how this works in our video on how contingency fees work.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) Today:

• 24/7 Emergency Line: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Local: (713) 528-9070
• Website: https://attorney911.com
• Email Ralph Manginello: ralph@atty911.com
• Email Lupe Peña (Se habla Español): lupe@atty911.com

The case of Leonel Bermudez at the University of Houston proves that severe hazing is a present danger in Texas. Let our experience, data-driven approach, and unwavering commitment to victim advocacy guide your family toward accountability, recovery, and peace of mind.

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, university policies, and legal precedents can change. The information in this guide is current as of late 2025 but may not reflect the most recent developments. Every hazing case is unique, and outcomes depend on the specific facts, evidence, applicable law, and many other factors.

If you or your child has been affected by hazing, we strongly encourage you to consult with a qualified Texas attorney who can review your specific situation, explain your legal rights, and advise you on the best course of action for your family.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas
Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

News Coverage of the UH Pi Kappa Phi Case:

• Click2Houston Investigation: https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2025/11/21/only-on-2-lawsuit-alleges-severe-hazing-at-university-of-houstons-pi-kappa-phi-chapter-fraternity/
• ABC13 Coverage: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/

Attorney911 Educational Videos:

• Using Your Phone to Document Evidence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Texas Statutes of Limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
• Client Mistakes to Avoid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
• How Contingency Fees Work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Main Firm Website:

• Attorney911: https://attorney911.com