The Definitive Guide to Hazing Law for Glen Rose Families: Holding Fraternities, Sororities, and Universities Accountable in Texas

If you are a parent in Glen Rose, Texas, your worst nightmare may start with a phone call in the middle of the night. Your child, a bright student pursuing their future at a Texas university, is in the hospital. The story is fragmented—something about a “pledge event,” “team bonding,” or a “tradition.” They are hurt, scared, and the details are shrouded in secrecy. You feel a rising tide of panic, anger, and helplessness, facing powerful institutions that seem more concerned with their reputation than your child’s wellbeing.

You are not alone, and what you are facing has a name: hazing. It is not a harmless rite of passage. In Texas, it is a crime. For families in Somervell County, from Glen Rose to Squaw Creek, understanding the reality of modern hazing, the powerful legal tools available, and the proven path to accountability is critical. Right now, our firm is fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in the country, representing Leonel Bermudez in a $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston and the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. This case, unfolding just hours from Glen Rose, is a stark example of the brutal reality hidden behind Greek letters and campus traditions.

This guide is written specifically for you—Glen Rose parents, families, and students. We will explain what hazing truly looks like in 2025, the Texas laws designed to protect your child, and how the lessons from national tragedies apply directly to campuses where Glen Rose students study. We will detail the investigative power we bring to every case and provide you with immediate, actionable steps to protect your family’s rights and seek justice.

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.
• In the first 48 hours:
  • Get medical attention immediately.
  • Preserve evidence: Screenshot all group chats, texts, and DMs. Photograph injuries from multiple angles. Save physical items.
  • Write down everything while memory is fresh.
  • Do NOT: Confront the organization, sign anything from the university, or post details on public social media.
• Contact an experienced hazing attorney: Evidence disappears fast. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a confidential, immediate consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like for Texas Students

For parents in Glen Rose, hazing may conjure images of outdated stereotypes. The reality in 2025 is more pervasive, digitally enabled, and dangerous than ever. Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act—on or off campus—that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of joining or maintaining membership in any organization. Consent is not a defense under Texas law.

Modern hazing manifests in several key categories:

• Alcohol and Substance Hazing: This remains the leading cause of hazing deaths. It includes forced “Big/Little” drinking nights, “lineup” challenges where pledges must drink rapidly, trivia games with wrong-answer penalties, and coerced consumption of dangerous substances or excessive amounts of food.
• Physical Hazing: This extends beyond paddling to include extreme, punitive calisthenics (“smokings”), sleep deprivation for days, exposure to extreme elements, and dangerous “rituals” like the blindfolded tackling that killed Chun “Michael” Deng.
• Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing: This involves forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, degrading costumes or positions, and acts rooted in racism, sexism, or homophobia designed to demean and debase.
• Psychological and Digital Hazing: This 21st-century evolution includes 24/7 control via group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp), public shaming on social media, cyberstalking via location-sharing apps, and “voluntary” challenges backed by the threat of social exclusion.

These acts occur not just in fraternities and sororities but within athletic teams, spirit groups like the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets, marching bands, academic clubs, and other campus organizations. The common threads are coercion, secrecy, and the immense power imbalance between new members and those in authority.

Texas Hazing Law & Liability: A Framework for Glen Rose Families

Texas has a robust legal framework to address hazing, grounded in the Texas Education Code, Chapter 37, Subchapter F. Understanding this law is your first step toward accountability.

Texas Hazing Law (Education Code §37.151-§37.156):

• Definition: Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers a student’s physical or mental health for the purpose of initiation into, affiliation with, or maintaining membership in an organization.
• Criminal Penalties: Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor. It becomes a Class A misdemeanor if it causes injury and a state jail felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death. Individuals who fail to report hazing or retaliate against reporters can also face charges.
• Organizational Liability: The organization itself (fraternity, sorority, team) can be fined up to $10,000 per violation if it authorized or encouraged the hazing, or if an officer knew and failed to report it.
• Consent is NOT a Defense: Texas law (§37.155) is explicit—a victim’s “consent” to the hazing activity is not a defense to prosecution. The law recognizes the coercive power of peer pressure and group dynamics.
• Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting: Individuals who report hazing in good faith to university officials or law enforcement are immune from civil or criminal liability for their own minor involvement (like underage drinking), encouraging students to call for help.

Civil Liability & The Path to Justice:
A criminal case, brought by the state, seeks punishment. A civil lawsuit, which our firm files on behalf of victims, seeks compensation for damages and institutional accountability. In a civil hazing case, we can pursue multiple liable parties:

1. Individual Perpetrators: The members who planned, executed, or covered up the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter: The campus organization as an entity.
3. The National Organization: Headquarters that collect dues, set policies, and often have prior knowledge of identical dangerous “traditions” at other chapters.
4. The University: Schools can be liable for negligent supervision, deliberate indifference to known risks, or Title IX violations if the hazing is sexualized.
5. Third Parties: Property owners, landlords, or alcohol providers.

For Glen Rose families, this means justice can be sought against every entity that failed in its duty to keep your child safe.

The Leonel Bermudez Case: A Live Example of Texas Hazing Litigation

Right now, our firm is leading a lawsuit that exemplifies the brutal reality of hazing and the complex fight for accountability. We represent Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who pledged the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter in fall 2025.

The Hazing: According to the complaint filed in Harris County, Bermudez was subjected to systemic abuse. This included carrying a degrading “pledge fanny pack” 24/7, enforced dress codes, overnight driving duties, and extreme physical hazing. He was forced to perform endless sprints, bear crawls, and “save-your-brother” drills. He was sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” forced to lie in vomit-soaked grass, and made to consume milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, only to be forced into more sprints. On November 3, 2025, he was ordered to do over 100 push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion.

The Catastrophic Injury: This relentless abuse led to rhabdomyolysis—a severe skeletal muscle breakdown. Bermudez’s kidneys began to fail. He passed brown urine, could not stand, and was hospitalized for four days with critically high creatine kinase levels, confirming acute kidney injury. He faces a lifelong risk of permanent kidney damage.

The Institutional Response & Our Lawsuit: The Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters suspended the chapter on November 6, and members voted to surrender their charter on November 14. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing.” We have filed a $10 million lawsuit against 13 individual fraternity leaders, the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu housing corporation, the Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, the University of Houston, and the UH System Board of Regents. This case, covered by Click2Houston and ABC13, is active proof of our firm’s commitment to fighting the most severe hazing cases.

Where Glen Rose Families Send Their Kids: The Texas University Landscape

Parents in Glen Rose and Somervell County often have students at a mix of local colleges and major statewide universities. Understanding the Greek ecosystems at these schools is crucial.

Major Texas Universities for Glen Rose Students:

• Texas A&M University (College Station): A flagship with a massive Greek life system and the distinctive Corps of Cadets culture, which has faced its own hazing lawsuits.
• University of Texas at Austin: Hosts one of the nation’s largest and most transparent Greek communities, publicly posting hazing violations on its website.
• University of Houston: A large, diverse commuter and residential campus with active IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, and Multicultural Greek Councils—the site of our flagship Bermudez case.
• Texas State University (San Marcos): A growing Greek system in the heart of the Hill Country.
• Texas Tech University (Lubbock): A major hub for Greek life in West Texas.
• Baylor University (Waco) & Southern Methodist University (Dallas): Prominent private universities with strong Greek affiliations.
• Local & Regional Options: Many Glen Rose students also attend Tarleton State University (Stephenville), Hill College, or other community colleges and four-year schools across the state.

Each of these campuses has its own Greek life office, reporting protocols, and history of hazing incidents. What happens at a fraternity house in College Station or an off-campus apartment in Austin directly impacts families right here in Glen Rose.

The Texas Greek Ecosystem: A Data-Driven Look Behind the Letters

Many parents are shocked to learn how many legal entities operate behind a single fraternity or sorority name. Using our proprietary Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—built from IRS public records, university data, and commercial databases—we maintain a directory of over 1,400 Greek-related organizations across 25 Texas metros. This data is critical for identifying every potentially liable entity in a hazing case.

Public Records: Greek Organizations Connected to Texas Campuses
The organizations below represent a small sample of the hundreds of Texas-registered entities we track. This illustrates the complex network behind campus Greek life.

• Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc (EIN 133048786) – 3007 Earl Rudder Fwy S, College Station, TX 77845 (IRS B83 filing)
• Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc (EIN 475370943) – 5019 Calhoun Rd, Houston, TX 77204 (Theta Delta Chapter)
• Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity (EIN 746064445) – 1855 Highway 69 N, Nederland, TX 77627 (Epsilon Kappa Chapter)
• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc (EIN 462267515) – 10601 Big Horn Trl, Frisco, TX 75035 (IRS B83 filing)
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi (EIN 900293166) – 114 Henderson Hall, College Station, TX 77843 (Texas A&M University Chapter)
• Chi Omega Fraternity (EIN 740555581) – 2711 Rio Grande St, Austin, TX 78705 (House Corporation)
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc (EIN 741380362) – PO Box 470061, Fort Worth, TX 76147 (IRS B83 filing)
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority (EIN 364091267) – 1101 Melrose Dr, Waco, TX 76710 (Xi Chi Chapter)
• Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity (EIN 262025321) – 920 W Prairie St, Denton, TX 76201 (Mu Gamma Chapter)
• Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated – Sigma Gamma Chapter (EIN 392352450) – PO Box 540026, Houston, TX 77254

In the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro alone, Cause IQ data shows over 510 Greek-related organizations. In the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land metro, there are 188. This vast network includes undergraduate chapters, alumni associations, housing corporations, and educational foundations—each a potential source of insurance coverage and liability in a hazing claim.

When a Glen Rose student is hazed at a Texas A&M fraternity, we don’t start from zero. We already know how to identify the local chapter corporation, its national headquarters, its alumni housing board, and its insurance carriers. This data-driven approach is a key advantage in building maximum leverage for your family.

National Patterns, Texas Realities: How History Repeats Itself

The hazing that injured Leonel Bermudez at UH is not an isolated incident. It follows a decades-old national script written in tragedy. These national cases create legal precedents and patterns that directly strengthen claims for Texas families.

• The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern: Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021), Max Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta, 2017), and Andrew Coffey (Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi, 2017) all died after forced drinking during “Big/Little” or “bid acceptance” nights. Their cases led to multi-million-dollar settlements and new state laws.
• The Physical Ritual Pattern: Chun “Michael” Deng (Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi, 2013) died from traumatic brain injury after a blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual at a retreat. The national fraternity was criminally convicted.
• The Athletic Hazing Pattern: The Northwestern University football scandal (2023-25) revealed systemic, sexualized hazing, leading to multiple lawsuits and confidential settlements, proving hazing extends far beyond Greek life.
• The Severe Injury Pattern: Danny Santulli (University of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta, 2021) suffered permanent brain damage from forced drinking. His family settled with 22 defendants.

These organizations—Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Pi Kappa Phi—all have active chapters at Texas universities. When a Texas chapter repeats a known, deadly pattern, it demonstrates foreseeability. National headquarters cannot claim ignorance. This pattern evidence is powerful in court, showing a failure to enforce their own policies and prevent predictable harm.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Our Firm’s Advantage

If your family is facing this crisis, knowing how a case is built can empower you. Our approach is thorough, aggressive, and informed by insider knowledge.

Critical Evidence We Pursue:

1. Digital Evidence: Deleted group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp), social media posts, DMs, and location data. We use digital forensics to recover what organizations try to erase. Our video on using your phone to document evidence outlines crucial first steps.
2. Internal Organization Records: Pledge manuals, “tradition” documents, emails between chapter officers and national headquarters, and prior incident reports.
3. University Records: Prior disciplinary actions against the same group, Clery Act reports, and internal investigation files obtained through discovery.
4. Medical & Psychological Records: Documentation of physical injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) and diagnoses of PTSD, depression, or anxiety.
5. Witness Testimony: Other pledges, former members, roommates, and bystanders.

Our Unique Competitive Advantages for Glen Rose Families:

• Insurance Insider Knowledge: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña, spent years as a defense attorney for a national insurance firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers undervalue claims, use delay tactics, and fight coverage. We know their playbook because we used to run it.
• Complex Institutional Litigation Experience: Managing partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few plaintiff attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We are not intimidated by billion-dollar corporations or powerful universities. We’ve faced them before.
• The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: As shown above, we don’t start investigations from scratch. We maintain detailed data on the Texas Greek ecosystem to immediately identify all liable entities.
• Dual Civil & Criminal Expertise: Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the interplay between criminal hazing charges and civil lawsuits, allowing us to advise clients on both fronts.
• Proven Results: We have recovered multi-million-dollar settlements for catastrophic injuries and wrongful death. We prepare every case as if it’s going to trial, because that readiness is what forces fair settlements.

Practical Steps for Glen Rose Parents and Students

If You Suspect Hazing:

• Talk to Your Child: Approach them with concern, not accusation. Ask open-ended questions about their activities, sleep, and whether they feel pressured or unsafe.
• Look for Signs: Unexplained injuries, drastic weight change, extreme fatigue, withdrawal from family, anxiety around phone notifications, and secrecy about organization activities.
• Document Everything: Write down dates, times, and what you observe.

If Hazing Has Occurred:

1. Prioritize Health & Safety: Get immediate medical attention. Call 911 if it’s an emergency.
2. Preserve Evidence IMMEDIATELY: This is the most critical step.
   • Screenshot EVERYTHING: Group chats, text threads, social media posts, photos. Do not delete anything.
   • Photograph Injuries: Take clear, dated pictures from multiple angles.
   • Save Physical Items: Clothing, paddles, “pledge” items.
   • Write a Narrative: Have your child write down everything they remember while it’s fresh.
3. Report Carefully:
   • You can report to the university’s Dean of Students office or campus police.
   • You may also file a report with local police.
   • However, we strongly advise consulting with an attorney before making any formal statements. Universities often have interests that conflict with your own.
4. Contact a Specialized Hazing Attorney: Time is your enemy. Evidence disappears, witnesses are coached, and the statute of limitations ticks. Contact us for a free, immediate consultation.

Critical Mistakes to Avoid:

• DO NOT let your child delete texts or “clean up” their phone.
• DO NOT confront the fraternity, sorority, or its members directly.
• DO NOT sign any documents from the university or an insurance adjuster without an attorney’s review.
• DO NOT post details about the incident on public social media.
• DO NOT assume the university’s internal process will deliver justice or fair compensation.

Why Choose The Manginello Law Firm / Attorney911?

When your family in Glen Rose is rocked by a hazing incident, you need advocates who combine deep legal expertise with genuine compassion and a relentless drive for accountability. We are not a high-volume personal injury mill; we are a complex litigation firm that chooses to take on the hardest cases against the most powerful opponents.

We understand the unique culture of Texas universities, the hidden dynamics of Greek organizations, and the intricate insurance landscapes that govern these claims. Our work on the Leonel Bermudez case against the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi is not just a talking point—it’s proof of our active, daily commitment to this fight.

We serve families across Texas from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. For Glen Rose and Somervell County families, we are your dedicated Texas hazing litigation team. We offer Spanish-language services through Mr. Peña (Se habla Español).

We work on a contingency fee basis: you pay nothing unless we win your case. We explain how this works in a clear video here.

Your Next Step: A Free, Confidential Consultation

The path forward begins with a conversation. We invite you to contact us for a free, completely confidential case evaluation. In this consultation, we will:

• Listen carefully to your story.
• Review any evidence you have preserved.
• Explain your legal rights and options under Texas law.
• Outline the investigative process.
• Answer your questions about timelines, costs, and what to expect.
• There is no pressure to hire us. Our goal is to ensure you have the information needed to make the best decision for your family.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911 Today:

• 24/7 Emergency Line: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Direct Line: (713) 528-9070
• Cell: (713) 443-4781
• Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com
• Website: https://attorney911.com

If hazing has impacted your child at any Texas campus—from the University of Houston to Texas A&M, from UT Austin to Baylor—you do not have to navigate this crisis alone. Let us use our experience, data, and determination to fight for the justice and accountability your family deserves.

Plain-Text Links to Key Resources

News Coverage of the Leonel Bermudez / UH Pi Kappa Phi Hazing Lawsuit:
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/
https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/

Attorney911 Educational Videos:
Evidence Preservation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
Statute 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

Attorney911 Main Website & Contact:
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