Hazing in Texas: A Complete Guide for Kenefick Families

When Tradition Turns Toxic: What Every Kenefick Parent Needs to Know About Campus Hazing

Picture this: Your child, a bright student from Liberty County, has just started their first semester at a Texas university. They’ve joined a fraternity or sorority, excited about making lifelong friends and building connections. Then, the texts start coming at all hours. They’re exhausted, withdrawn, making excuses about “mandatory events” that keep them out until 3 AM. One weekend, they come home with unexplained bruises or a haunting distance in their eyes. When you ask what’s wrong, they shut down: “I can’t talk about it. It’s just part of the process.”

Right now, in Houston just an hour from Kenefick, a Liberty County family is living this nightmare—and we’re fighting for them in court. In late 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who nearly died from fraternity hazing. His story—involving forced drinking, extreme physical abuse, and a medical crisis that left him with acute kidney failure—isn’t just a Houston problem. It’s a Texas problem that reaches every community, including our own here in Kenefick and Liberty County.

This comprehensive guide is written specifically for parents and families in Kenefick, Dayton, Cleveland, and across Liberty County who need to understand the reality of modern hazing, Texas law, and what to do if your child becomes a victim. We’ll walk you through exactly what hazing looks like in 2025, how Texas law protects (and sometimes fails) students, the organizations operating on campuses where Kenefick students enroll, and the practical steps to take if you suspect abuse.

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 the student insists they are “fine”
• Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted:
  • Screenshot group chats, texts, DMs immediately
  • Photograph injuries from multiple angles
  • Save physical items (clothing, receipts, objects)
• Write down everything while memory is fresh (who, what, when, where)
• Do NOT:
  • Confront the fraternity/sorority
  • Sign anything from the university or insurance company
  • Post details on public social media
  • Let your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence

The Case That Changes Everything: Leonel Bermudez v. University of Houston & Pi Kappa Phi

Before we discuss the broader landscape, you need to understand the case that’s currently shaping hazing litigation in Texas. We represent Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who suffered catastrophic injuries during his fall 2025 pledge period with Pi Kappa Phi’s Beta Nu chapter.

What Actually Happened: From “Tradition” to Trauma

Leonel’s ordeal began like many others: excitement about joining a fraternity, followed by gradual escalation of demands. What started as “pledge duties” quickly turned into systematic abuse:

The Humiliation Rituals:

• A “pledge fanny pack” rule requiring 24/7 carrying of condoms, sex toys, nicotine devices, and other degrading items
• Enforced dress codes and hours-long “study/work” blocks
• Weekly interview sessions and overnight chauffeuring duties for members

The Physical Torture:

• Sprints, bear crawls, wheelbarrow races, and “save-your-brother” drills until collapse
• Cold-weather exposure in nothing but underwear
• Forced to lie in vomit-soaked grass
• Sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding” with threats of actual waterboarding
• Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, followed by immediate sprints
• The November 3 workout: 100+ push-ups, 500 squats, creed recitation under threat of expulsion

The Medical Catastrophe:
After the November 3 hazing session, Leonel developed rhabdomyolysis – severe skeletal muscle breakdown that flooded his system with toxins. He passed brown urine, couldn’t stand without help, and was hospitalized for four days with acute kidney failure. Lab tests showed critically high creatine kinase levels confirming the life-threatening condition. He now faces ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage and long-term physical and psychological harm.

The Institutional Response:

• November 6, 2025: Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters suspended the Beta Nu chapter
• November 14, 2025: Chapter members voted to surrender their charter
• University of Houston called the conduct “deeply disturbing” and promised disciplinary measures up to expulsion

The Lawsuit:
We filed a $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston, UH System Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, the Beta Nu housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders. This case, covered extensively by Click2Houston, ABC13, and Hoodline, represents exactly what we fight against: systematic abuse covered by tradition and enabled by institutional inaction.

The Greek Ecosystem Serving Kenefick and Liberty County Families

When we talk about “fraternities and sororities,” most families picture the chapter house on campus. But there’s an entire network of organizations behind those Greek letters—and we track every one of them. For Kenefick families, understanding this network is crucial because your child might interact with these organizations at multiple Texas campuses.

Public Records Directory: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Organizations Connected to Kenefick

Through our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, we maintain comprehensive data on every Greek organization in Texas. Here’s what that means for Liberty County families:

Houston Metropolitan Area Greek Presence:
The Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land metro area, which includes Liberty County, contains 188 Greek-related organizations according to Cause IQ data. These include undergraduate chapters, alumni associations, housing corporations, and honor societies. Examples from public records include:

• Texas District of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity – Houston, TX (Alumni/house corporation)
• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority – Houston Alumnae – Houston, TX (Graduate chapter)
• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority – Alpha Kappa Omega – Houston, TX (Graduate chapter)
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority – Beta Sigma Chapter – Houston, TX (Undergraduate chapter)
• Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity – Eta Rho Sigma – Houston, TX (Graduate chapter)

IRS-Registered Texas Greek Organizations:
The IRS maintains records of 125+ Texas-registered Greek organizations with tax-exempt status. These are the legal entities that often hold insurance policies and assets. Examples relevant to our region include:

• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc – EIN 462267515 – Frisco, TX 75035
• Sigma Phi Epsilon Texas Eta – EIN 824398421 – Richmond, TX 77406
• Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity – EIN 746064445 – Nederland, TX 77627 (Epsilon Kappa Chapter)
• Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc – EIN 475370943 – Houston, TX 77204 (Theta Delta)
• Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter – EIN 746084905 – Houston, TX 77204
• Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated – Sigma Gamma Chapter – EIN 392352450 – Houston, TX 77254

Why This Directory Matters:
When hazing occurs, these organizations—not just the students involved—often bear legal responsibility. Their insurance policies, assets, and prior knowledge of risky traditions become critical to securing accountability and compensation for victims.

Where Kenefick Families Send Their Kids: Campus Connections

Liberty County students attend universities across Texas, creating multiple points of potential exposure to hazing culture. Our data shows Kenefick families are connected to these campuses:

Primary Regional Universities:

• University of Houston (Houston, Harris County) – 45 minutes from Kenefick
• Sam Houston State University (Huntsville, Walker County) – 1 hour from Kenefick
• Texas A&M University (College Station, Brazos County) – 2 hours from Kenefick
• Lamar University (Beaumont, Jefferson County) – 1.5 hours from Kenefick

Statewide University Hubs (Common for Texas Students):

• University of Texas at Austin (Austin, Travis County)
• Texas State University (San Marcos, Hays County)
• Texas Tech University (Lubbock, Lubbock County)
• Baylor University (Waco, McLennan County)
• Southern Methodist University (Dallas, Dallas County)

The Campus-Greek Connection:
Each of these universities hosts dozens of Greek organizations. For example, University of Houston has:

• 17 Interfraternity Council fraternities including Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and Pi Kappa Alpha
• 6 Panhellenic sororities
• 9 National Pan-Hellenic Council organizations
• Multiple multicultural Greek organizations

When your child joins a fraternity or sorority at any Texas university, they’re not just joining a campus club—they’re connecting to a national network with its own history, traditions, and, sometimes, dangerous patterns.

Organizations Behind the Letters: National Histories Matter

National fraternity and sorority histories aren’t just background noise—they’re evidence in court. When an organization has a pattern of hazing incidents nationwide, that pattern shows they knew or should have known about the risks. For Kenefick families, understanding these patterns is crucial when evaluating what happened to your child.

National Hazing Patterns Relevant to Texas Campuses:

Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ):

• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University (2021): Died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol; $10 million settlement
• David Bogenberger – Northern Illinois University (2012): Died from alcohol poisoning during fraternity event; $14 million settlement
• UH Connection: Active at University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, and campuses statewide

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ):

• Multiple Deaths Nationwide: One of the deadliest fraternities with numerous alcohol-related hazing deaths
• Texas A&M Incident (2021): Pledges suffered severe chemical burns from industrial-strength cleaner, requiring skin graft surgeries
• UT Austin Incident (2024): Australian exchange student assaulted, suffering dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia, and broken nose

Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ):

• Andrew Coffey – Florida State University (2017): Died from acute alcohol poisoning during “Big Brother Night”
• Leonel Bermudez – University of Houston (2025): Our current case involving rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
• Pattern: Forced drinking traditions during “big/little” events

Why These Histories Matter in Court:
When we sue a national fraternity for a hazing incident in Texas, we don’t just look at that one chapter. We investigate every prior incident, every warning letter, every time they’ve been sued before. This “pattern evidence” proves they knew the risks and failed to take adequate precautions—a powerful argument for negligence and punitive damages.

Texas Hazing Law: What Kenefick Families Need to Know

Texas has specific laws addressing hazing, but many families don’t understand how they work or when they apply. Here’s what you need to know:

Texas Education Code Chapter 37 – The Hazing Statute

Definition (Plain English):
Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act directed against a student for the purpose of pledging, initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in any organization that:

1. Endangers mental or physical health or safety, AND
2. Occurs on or off campus (location doesn’t matter)

Key Provisions:

• Consent is NOT a defense – Even if your child “agreed,” it’s still hazing
• Criminal penalties range from Class B misdemeanor to state jail felony if serious injury or death occurs
• Organizations can be fined up to $10,000 per violation
• Immunity for good-faith reporting – Students who call for help may be protected

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding the Difference

Criminal Cases:

• Brought by the state (prosecutor)
• Purpose: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
• Charges can include: hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, manslaughter

Civil Cases:

• Brought by victims/families
• Purpose: Compensation and accountability
• Claims can include: negligence, wrongful death, emotional distress, negligent supervision

Critical Insight: A criminal case IS NOT required to file a civil lawsuit. Even if no criminal charges are filed, your family may have a strong civil case for damages.

Federal Laws That Apply:

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024):

• Requires colleges to report hazing incidents transparently
• Strengthens prevention programs
• Public hazing data reporting phased in by 2026

Title IX & Clery Act:

• Apply when hazing involves sexual harassment or assault
• Require specific reporting and response protocols
• Can create additional liability for universities

Building a Hazing Case: Our Data-Driven Approach

When you contact us about a potential hazing case, we don’t start from scratch. Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine gives us immediate insight into the organizations involved. Here’s how we build cases for families like yours:

Step 1: Immediate Evidence Preservation

Digital evidence disappears fast. Within hours of your call, we’ll guide you through:

• Group chat preservation: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, fraternity apps
• Social media archiving: Instagram stories, Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook
• Physical evidence collection: Clothing, receipts, objects used in hazing
• Medical documentation: ER records, lab results, psychological evaluations

We have a detailed video explaining how to use your phone to document evidence properly.

Step 2: Organizational Investigation

Using our database, we identify every potentially liable entity:

1. Individual members who participated or supervised
2. Chapter officers (president, pledgemaster, risk manager)
3. Local chapter as a legal entity
4. Housing corporation (if separate)
5. National headquarters
6. University (under certain conditions)
7. Property owners/landlords
8. Insurance carriers

Step 3: Pattern Evidence Development

We research the organization’s national history:

• Prior hazing incidents at other chapters
• Warning letters from nationals
• Previous lawsuits and settlements
• Internal policies and training materials

This evidence proves foreseeability – they knew this could happen and didn’t prevent it.

Step 4: Damage Assessment

Hazing causes multiple types of damages:

• Medical expenses (emergency care, hospitalization, ongoing treatment)
• Future care costs (therapy, medications, specialist visits)
• Lost educational opportunities (withdrawn semesters, lost scholarships)
• Pain and suffering (physical pain, emotional trauma, PTSD)
• Punitive damages (when conduct is especially reckless)

For wrongful death cases, we work with economists to calculate lifetime earning loss and other impacts.

Step 5: Strategic Negotiation & Litigation

With evidence gathered and damages quantified, we pursue accountability through:

• Pre-litigation demands to insurance companies
• Negotiation with university counsel
• Formal litigation when settlements aren’t fair
• Trial preparation for cases that need court resolution

Practical Guide for Kenefick Parents & Students

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

Physical Signs:

• Unexplained bruises, burns, or injuries
• Extreme exhaustion beyond normal college stress
• Weight changes (from food restriction or stress)
• Signs of alcohol poisoning (slurred speech, vomiting, confusion)

Behavioral Changes:

• Sudden secrecy about organization activities
• Withdrawal from family and non-Greek friends
• Anxiety, depression, or personality shifts
• Constant phone use for group chat monitoring
• Fear of “getting in trouble” or “letting the chapter down”

Academic Red Flags:

• Grades dropping suddenly
• Missing classes or falling asleep in class
• Skipping assignments for “mandatory” events

If You Suspect Hazing: The 48-Hour Action Plan

Hour 1-6 (Immediate Crisis):

1. Medical First: If injured or intoxicated, get to ER immediately
2. Safety: Remove from dangerous situation
3. Evidence: Screenshot messages, photograph injuries
4. Notes: Write down everything they tell you (date, time, details)
5. Call Us: 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate legal guidance

Hour 6-24 (Evidence Preservation):

1. Digital Preservation: Help them save all group chats, texts, social media
2. Physical Evidence: Secure clothing, receipts, objects
3. Medical Records: Request all ER/hospital records
4. Witness List: Names and contact info for other pledges
5. University Communications: Document any contact from school

Hour 24-48 (Strategic Decisions):

1. Legal Consultation: Speak with experienced hazing attorney
2. Reporting Decision: With lawyer’s guidance, decide whether/when to report
3. University Response: If contacted, refer them to your attorney
4. Insurance: Do NOT talk to insurance adjusters without counsel
5. Evidence Backup: Upload everything to cloud storage

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case:

1. Letting your child delete messages – This looks like cover-up and destroys evidence
2. Confronting the fraternity directly – They’ll lawyer up and destroy evidence
3. Signing university “resolution” forms – Often includes waiver of legal rights
4. Posting on social media – Defense attorneys screenshot everything
5. Waiting for university investigation – Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate
6. Talking to insurance adjusters – Recorded statements are used against you

We have a detailed video explaining these common mistakes and how to avoid them.

Why Kenefick Families Choose Attorney911 for Hazing Cases

When your family faces a hazing crisis, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how powerful institutions fight back—and how to win anyway.

Our Unique Qualifications for Hazing Cases:

Insurance Insider Advantage:
Mr. Lupe Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies value claims, use delay tactics, and fight coverage. We know their playbook because we used to run it.

Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions:
Mr. Ralph Manginello was one of the few Texas attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We’ve faced billion-dollar corporations with unlimited legal budgets. National fraternities and universities don’t intimidate us.

Multi-Million Dollar Catastrophic Injury Experience:
We’ve recovered millions for families in wrongful death and severe injury cases. We work with economists, life care planners, and medical experts to build cases that force real accountability, not cheap settlements.

Criminal + Civil Hazing Expertise:
Mr. Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association means we understand both criminal hazing charges and civil litigation. We can advise on dual-track cases and protect witnesses.

Investigative Depth:
Our network includes digital forensics experts, medical specialists, Greek life culture experts, and institutional policy analysts. We investigate until we uncover the truth.

Spanish-Language Services:
Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish and can serve Hispanic families in Kenefick and throughout Texas with compassionate, culturally sensitive representation.

Our Connection to Kenefick and Liberty County:

While our main office is in Houston, we serve families throughout Texas, including Kenefick, Dayton, Cleveland, and all of Liberty County. We understand that when hazing happens at Texas A&M, University of Houston, or any Texas campus, it affects our entire region. Our work on the Bermudez case at UH demonstrates our commitment to holding powerful institutions accountable—whether they’re in Houston or anywhere our Texas families send their children.

Your Next Steps: Free Confidential Consultation

If you suspect your child has been hazed at any Texas university, we want to help. You don’t have to navigate this alone.

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation:

1. We Listen Without Judgment: Tell us what happened in complete confidence
2. Evidence Review: We’ll look at any photos, messages, or medical records you have
3. Legal Options Explained: We’ll outline criminal reporting, civil lawsuits, and other paths
4. Realistic Expectations: We’ll discuss timelines, potential outcomes, and challenges
5. Cost Discussion: Contingency fee basis – we don’t get paid unless we win
6. No Pressure: Take time to decide what’s right for your family

Contact Us Today:

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 or lupe@atty911.com

Hablamos Español: Mr. Peña provides consultations in Spanish for Hispanic families.

Plain Text Links for Additional Resources:

News Coverage of the Leonel Bermudez Case:

• Click2Houston report: 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/
• Hoodline summary: https://hoodline.com/2025/11/university-of-houston-and-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity-face-10m-lawsuit-over-alleged-hazing-and-abuse/

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 that can ruin your case: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
• How contingency fees work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Main Website: https://attorney911.com

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