Hazing in Texas: A Guide for Families in Pecan Acres, Tarrant County

For families in Pecan Acres, Haslet, and across Tarrant County, the thought of sending a child off to college is filled with pride and hope. Yet, a hidden danger exists on campuses across Texas, one fueled by tradition, power, and secrecy: hazing. Right now, our firm is on the front lines of one of the most serious hazing lawsuits in the state—representing Leonel Bermudez against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity’s Beta Nu chapter, and over a dozen other defendants. This is not a historical case; it is a current, active $10 million lawsuit alleging brutal hazing that caused a young man to develop rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, turning his urine brown and landing him in the hospital for four days. This happened here in Texas.

If you are a parent in Pecan Acres, your child may attend the University of Texas at Arlington, Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, or venture to schools like Texas A&M or UT Austin. No matter the campus, the risk is real. This guide is written specifically for you. We will explain what modern hazing looks like, how Texas law protects victims, what is happening on major campuses, and how our data-driven, experienced legal team at Attorney911 can help your family seek accountability and 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—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, and 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, or team directly.
  • Sign anything from the university or an insurance company.
  • Post details on public social media.
  • Let your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence.

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 an immediate, confidential consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like in Texas

Hazing is no longer just about silly pranks. It is a calculated pattern of coercion, humiliation, and abuse designed to test loyalty through suffering. For Tarrant County families, understanding its modern forms is the first step toward recognition.

A clear definition: Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act—on or off campus—directed against a student for the purpose of joining, affiliating with, or maintaining membership in a group, that endangers the student’s mental or physical health or safety. Under Texas law, a victim’s “consent” is not a defense.

Main categories include:

• Alcohol & Substance Hazing: Forced consumption during “lineups,” “Big/Little” reveals, or drinking games like the “Bible study” that killed Max Gruver at LSU.
• Physical Hazing: Paddling, beatings, or extreme calisthenics. In our UH Pi Kappa Phi case, Leonel Bermudez was forced through 100+ push-ups and 500 squats, led to sprints after forced vomiting, and was sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding.”
• Sexualized & Humiliating Hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, or degrading costumes. The lawsuit alleges Bermudez and others were forced to carry a “pledge fanny pack” 24/7 containing condoms and a sex toy.
• Psychological & Digital Hazing: Sleep deprivation, social isolation, and 24/7 control via group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp). Members demand immediate responses at all hours, creating a state of constant anxiety.

This happens in fraternities, sororities, Corps of Cadets programs, athletic teams, spirit groups like the Texas Cowboys, and even marching bands. The common threads are an imbalance of power, a tradition of secrecy, and the grave risk of catastrophic injury or death.

Texas Hazing Law & Liability: What Pecan Acres Families Need to Know

Texas has specific laws governing hazing, primarily found in the Texas Education Code, Chapter 37, Subchapter F. Understanding this framework is crucial for families in Tarrant County seeking accountability.

The Legal Definition (Sec. 37.151): Hazing is broadly defined as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the physical or mental health of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or membership. It can occur on or off campus.

Criminal Penalties (Sec. 37.152):

• Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing that does not cause serious injury.
• Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing that causes injury requiring medical attention.
• State Jail Felony: Hazing that causes serious bodily injury or death.
• It is also a crime to fail to report hazing or to retaliate against someone who reports.

Organizational Liability (Sec. 37.153): The fraternity, sorority, or other student organization itself can be prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 if it authorized or encouraged the hazing, or if an officer knew and failed to report it.

Critical Protections:

• Consent is NOT a Defense (Sec. 37.155): Even if your child “agreed,” it is still hazing under Texas law. Courts recognize the power dynamics and coercion at play.
• Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting (Sec. 37.154): Students who report hazing or call for medical help in an emergency are generally protected from university discipline and criminal liability related to underage drinking that might be revealed.

Civil Lawsuits vs. Criminal Charges

It is vital to understand these two parallel paths:

• Criminal Case: Brought by the state (DA or county attorney) to punish the wrongdoer with jail, fines, or probation. A criminal conviction is not required to file a civil suit.
• Civil Lawsuit: Brought by the victim and family to seek financial compensation (damages) and institutional accountability. This is where we hold every responsible party—from the individual member to the national headquarters—financially liable for the harm caused.

The Federal Overlay: Title IX, Clery, and the Stop Hazing Act

Federal laws also come into play:

• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment or assault, schools must investigate and address it.
• Clery Act: Requires colleges to report campus crime statistics, which can include hazing-related assaults.
• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires increased transparency in hazing reporting and strengthens prevention programs at federally funded schools.

The Flagship Case: Leonel Bermudez v. University of Houston & Pi Kappa Phi

To understand the gravity and pattern of Texas hazing, one must look at the case we are actively litigating. It serves as a stark warning for what can happen at any Texas campus, including those where Pecan Acres students enroll.

Leonel Bermudez, a transfer student at the University of Houston, accepted a bid to Pi Kappa Phi’s Beta Nu chapter in Fall 2025. What followed was a relentless campaign of abuse documented in a $10 million lawsuit. The hazing included:

• Humiliation: The “pledge fanny pack” rule, with contents meant to degrade.
• Forced Labor: Overnight driving duties, hours-long “study” blocks, and weekly interviews.
• Physical Torture: Sprints, bear crawls, “save-your-brother” drills, and cold-weather exposure in underwear at locations including the chapter house and Yellowstone Boulevard Park.
• “Waterboarding” Tactics: Being sprayed in the face with a hose while threats of actual waterboarding were made.
• Forced Consumption: Made to ingest milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, then immediately forced to sprint.

The culmination was a November 3 workout of over 100 push-ups and 500 squats. Bermudez’s body broke down. He developed rhabdomyolysis—a severe skeletal muscle breakdown that clogged his kidneys. His urine turned brown. He was hospitalized for four days with acute kidney failure and faces a risk of permanent damage.

The Institutional Response: After reports surfaced, Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters suspended the chapter on November 6. On November 14, chapter members voted to surrender their charter, shutting it down. The University of Houston called the conduct “deeply disturbing” and promised cooperation with law enforcement.

Why This Matters for You: This case demonstrates that severe, life-altering hazing is not a relic of the past. It is happening now at major Texas institutions. The defendants in this case include not just the students, but the UH Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters, and the chapter’s housing corporation. We are pursuing all of them because accountability must be comprehensive. You can read detailed coverage of this case in the Click2Houston report on UH Pi Kappa Phi hazing case and the ABC13 coverage of Leonel Bermudez’s UH hazing lawsuit.

The Texas Greek Ecosystem: A Data-Driven View for Tarrant County

As a firm, we don’t just react to hazing cases; we investigate them with forensic, data-driven precision. We maintain a Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine built from public records to understand the full landscape of Greek life. This is part of how we build unbeatable cases for families.

Where Pecan Acres Families Send Their Kids: Local and Statewide Campuses

Parents in Pecan Acres, Haslet, and surrounding Tarrant County communities often have students at a mix of local and major statewide universities.

Local & Regional Campuses:

• University of Texas at Arlington (Tarrant County) – A major public university with active Greek life.
• Texas Christian University (Fort Worth, Tarrant County) – A prominent private university with a significant Greek system.
• Texas Wesleyan University (Fort Worth, Tarrant County) – A smaller campus with student organizations.

Major Statewide University Hubs (Common Destinations):

• University of Houston (Flagship case location)
• Texas A&M University (College Station)
• University of Texas at Austin
• Southern Methodist University (Dallas County)
• Baylor University (Waco)

Public Records Directory: The Organizations Behind the Letters

When hazing occurs, liability often extends beyond the students in the room. National organizations, alumni groups, and housing corporations can all share responsibility. Using IRS data and other public records, we track these entities. Here is a snapshot of the Greek organizational landscape relevant to our area:

The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metro, which includes Pecan Acres, contains over 510 Greek-related organizations according to our Cause IQ data analysis. This includes undergraduate chapters, alumni associations, housing corporations, and honor societies. Examples of organizations recorded in public filings include:

• 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 Alpha Psi Fraternity – Fort Worth Alumni Chapter – PO Box 581, Fort Worth, TX 76101 (IRS B83 Filing)
• Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity Texas Gamma Chapter – 2609 S University Dr, Fort Worth, TX 76109 (Cause IQ Metro Listing)
• Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. – Psi Zeta Chapter – PO Box 51168, Fort Worth, TX 76105 (IRS B83 Filing)

Statewide, our engine tracks over 1,423 fraternities and sororities across 25 Texas metros. For campuses like UT Austin and Texas A&M, the network is even denser. For example, public records show:

• Pi Kappa Phi Delta Omega Chapter Building Corporation – EIN 371768785 – Missouri City, TX 77459 (IRS B83 Filing)
• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc – EIN 462267515 – Frisco, TX 75035 (IRS B83 Filing)
• Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter – 4300 Martin Luther King Blvd, Houston, TX 77204 (IRS B83 Filing)

Why this directory matters for your case: If your child is hazed, we already know how to identify every entity that may hold insurance or bear legal responsibility. We don’t start from scratch. We use this data to build a comprehensive map of liability, ensuring no responsible party escapes accountability.

Building a Powerful Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy & Damages

When you contact us about a hazing incident, we immediately begin a strategic, evidence-based investigation. Here’s how we build a case that demands justice and full compensation.

Critical Evidence We Pursue

• Digital Footprint: Group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp) are the modern minute book of hazing. We use digital forensics to recover deleted messages, photos, and videos. We also preserve social media posts, DMs, and location data.
• Internal Documents: Pledge manuals, “big/little” assignments, chapter meeting notes, and communications with national headquarters.
• University Records: Prior disciplinary records for the same chapter, incident reports, Clery Act logs, and internal emails obtained through discovery or public records requests.
• Medical Documentation: Complete medical records establishing the direct link between the hazing acts and the injuries, such as lab reports confirming rhabdomyolysis or imaging showing fractures.
• Witness Testimony: Other pledges, former members, roommates, and sometimes, eventually, cooperating active members who come forward.

Overcoming Institutional Defenses

National fraternities and universities have sophisticated defense playbooks. Our experience allows us to counter them effectively.

• Defense: “The victim consented.” Our Counter: Texas law explicitly states consent is not a defense. We demonstrate the coercive power imbalance and group pressure.
• Defense: “This was a rogue chapter; we didn’t know.” Our Counter: We subpoena national headquarters to reveal prior complaints and incident reports at this chapter and others, proving a pattern they failed to curb.
• Defense: “It happened off-campus; not our responsibility.” Our Counter: We establish duty through sponsorship, funding, and control. Nationals and universities cannot escape liability by simply moving abuse off-campus.
• Defense: “Our insurance doesn’t cover intentional acts.” Our Counter: We argue negligent supervision by the national or university is a covered claim, and we pursue all available policies, from chapter housing to national umbrella coverage.

Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña, spent years as an insurance defense attorney for national firms. He knows the exact tactics insurers and defense counsel will use to deny or minimize your claim. This insider knowledge is invaluable. You can learn more about Mr. Peña’s background at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/.

Recovering Damages: What Your Family Can Seek

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

• Economic Damages: All past and future medical expenses, lost wages, costs of therapy, and diminished future earning capacity if injuries are permanent.
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional suffering, trauma, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages: In the ultimate tragedy, families can seek funeral costs, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship, love, and guidance.

We work with life-care planners, economists, and medical experts to build a comprehensive picture of the harm, ensuring we pursue every dollar of compensation you are owed. For a broader view of our wrongful death practice, visit https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/.

Practical Steps & Guidance for Pecan Acres Parents and Students

For Parents: Warning Signs and Action Steps

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

• Unexplained injuries, bruises, or burns.
• Extreme fatigue, sleep deprivation, or drastic weight changes.
• Becoming secretive or withdrawn, especially about group activities.
• Constant anxiety about phone notifications from group chats.
• Sudden decline in academic performance.
• Requests for unusual amounts of money for “fines,” “dues,” or “supplies.”

What to Do If You Suspect Hazing:

1. Prioritize Safety & Health: If there is immediate danger or injury, call 911.
2. Document Everything: Write down what your child tells you with dates. Screenshot any messages they show you. Photograph injuries.
3. Seek Medical Care: A medical exam creates a vital record. Tell the doctor the context: “My child was injured during a fraternity hazing event.”
4. Contact an Attorney Before Reporting: Before you notify the university or chapter, speak with us. We can advise on how to report in a way that protects evidence and your child’s interests. Call 1-888-ATTY-911.
5. Preserve Digital Evidence: Help your child NOT delete any texts, photos, or group chats. This evidence is crucial.

We have a video specifically on using your phone to document evidence, which you can view here: Our video on using your phone to document evidence.

For Students: Your Rights and How to Exit Safely

• You Have the Right to Be Safe: No tradition is worth your health, dignity, or life.
• “Consent” is Meaningless Under Pressure: Texas law protects you even if you felt you had to go along.
• How to Exit: You can resign your pledge or membership at any time via email or text. You do not owe anyone an in-person explanation where you might be pressured.
• Reporting Protections: Texas law and most university policies offer immunity for those who report hazing or call for medical help in good faith.
• Preserve Evidence: Take screenshots of everything. Save emails. Tell a trusted friend or family member what is happening.

Critical Mistakes That Can Harm a Case

1. Deleting Evidence: The single biggest mistake. Do not delete group chats, texts, or photos, no matter how embarrassing.
2. Confronting the Chapter First: This gives them a head start to destroy evidence and lawyer up.
3. Signing University Paperwork: Universities may offer quick “resolutions” that require you to waive your legal rights. Do not sign anything without an attorney.
4. Posting on Social Media: Public posts can be used by defense attorneys to contradict your claims. Keep details private.
5. Waiting Too Long: Evidence disappears, witnesses become harder to find, and statutes of limitations apply. Time is critical.

We discuss common client mistakes in detail here: Our video on mistakes that can ruin your injury case.

Why Attorney911 Is the Right Firm for Texas Hazing Cases

When your family faces the trauma of hazing, you need advocates who are not intimidated by powerful institutions and who possess the specific skills to win. The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) brings a proven, multi-faceted advantage.

1. Insider Insurance Knowledge:
Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him), spent years as a defense attorney for national insurance companies. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers evaluate claims, negotiate, and fight. We use this knowledge to counter their tactics from day one.

2. Complex Institutional Litigation Experience:
Managing Partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few plaintiff attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation, taking on a billion-dollar corporation. We apply the same rigorous, unflinching approach to lawsuits against national fraternities and large universities. You can learn about Ralph’s background at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/.

3. Active, High-Stakes Hazing Litigation:
We are not theorists. We are currently leading the Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit—a $10 million active case. This firsthand, current experience directly informs our strategy for every new client.

4. Data-Driven Investigation:
Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine gives us an unmatched foundation. We know the organizational landscape before we even begin, allowing us to identify all potential defendants and sources of insurance coverage quickly.

5. Comprehensive Damages Analysis:
We have secured multi-million dollar settlements in wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases. We work with medical experts, life-care planners, and economists to ensure every future need and every ounce of suffering is accounted for in our demands.

6. Spanish-Language Services:
Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish. We are committed to serving the diverse families of Texas. Se habla Español.

We operate on a contingency fee basis for personal injury cases, including hazing litigation. This means you pay no upfront fees. Our payment is contingent on us winning your case. Learn more about how this works: Our video explaining how contingency fees work.

Your Next Step: A Free, Confidential Consultation

If hazing has impacted your family in Pecan Acres, Fort Worth, or anywhere in Texas, you do not have to navigate this alone. The institutions involved have lawyers; you should too.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) today for a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation. We will:

• Listen carefully to your story.
• Review any evidence you have.
• Explain your legal rights and options under Texas law.
• Outline a potential strategy for seeking accountability.
• Answer all your questions about the process, timeline, and costs.

Call us 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). You can also reach us directly at (713) 528-9070, or via email at ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com.

Visit our website at https://attorney911.com to learn more about our firm and our commitment to helping Texas families facing legal emergencies.

Don’t wait. Evidence fades, memories become unclear, and statutes of limitations apply. Let us help you secure the evidence, build the case, and fight for the justice your family deserves.

Legal Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is unique, and outcomes depend on specific facts and law. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly. Attorney911 is a trademark of The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC. Principal office in Houston, Texas.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources:

• Click2Houston UH Hazing Case 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 UH Hazing Case Coverage: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/
• Hoodline UH Hazing Case Summary: https://hoodline.com/2025/11/university-of-houston-and-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity-face-10m-lawsuit-over-alleged-hazing-and-abuse/
• Attorney911 Evidence Preservation Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Attorney911 Statute of Limitations Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
• Attorney911 Client Mistakes Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
• Attorney911 Contingency Fee Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc
• Attorney911 Main Website: https://attorney911.com