A Guide for Parents in Town of Caney City: Hazing, Accountability, and Your Rights at Texas Universities

Imagine a student from right here in Henderson County has just taken a bid from a fraternity at a major Texas university. What starts as excitement quickly turns to a series of late-night text demands, mandatory “workouts” that leave him unable to walk, and forced consumption of food and alcohol until he’s violently ill. His phone is constantly buzzing with group chat orders. He’s exhausted, secretive, and scared. One night, after a brutal hazing session, he collapses. His urine is brown—a medical emergency. He is rushed to the hospital, diagnosed with acute kidney failure and severe muscle breakdown. His parents in Town of Caney City are left terrified, confused, and searching for answers from a university hours away.

This is not a hypothetical. It is the real-life case of Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston pledge whose $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston System and the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity is being actively litigated right now by our firm. For families in Caney City, Eustace, Trinidad, and across Henderson County, this case is a stark warning: the hazing that leads to catastrophic injury and costly lawsuits at big universities can happen to any Texas student.

This guide is for you—the parents, grandparents, and families in the Town of Caney City and surrounding Henderson County area. We will explain the reality of modern hazing in Texas, the laws designed to protect your children, and what history tells us about the fraternities, sororities, and organizations present on the campuses where your children study. Whether your student is at a local institution like Trinity Valley Community College or has ventured to the University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M, or another major university, the risks and the legal pathways to accountability are real.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES

• If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:
  • Call 911 for medical emergencies.
  • Then call us at Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911).
• In the first 48 hours:
  • Get medical attention immediately.
  • Preserve evidence: Screenshot all group chats, texts, and DMs. Photograph injuries from multiple angles. Save any physical items.
  • Write down everything your child tells you (who, what, when, where).
  • Do NOT:
    • Confront the fraternity, sorority, or team directly.
    • Sign anything from a university or insurance company.
    • Let your child delete messages or “clean up” their phone.
• Contact an experienced hazing attorney. Evidence disappears fast. Call us immediately at 1—888—ATTY—911 for a free, confidential consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like in Texas

For parents in Caney City, the word “hazing” might conjure old images of harmless pranks. The reality in 2025 is far more sinister, systematic, and digitally enabled. Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act—on or off campus—that endangers a student’s mental or physical health for the purpose of joining or maintaining membership in a group. Crucially, under Texas law, a victim’s “consent” is not a defense.

Today’s hazing often falls into three escalating categories:

Subtle Hazing: This establishes power imbalance and includes forced servitude (like being an on-call driver for members), strict dress codes, carrying humiliating “pledge packs,” social isolation, and being “on call” 24/7 through group chats. It’s designed to break down independence.

Harassment Hazing: This causes emotional and physical discomfort and includes verbal abuse, sleep deprivation, food/water restriction, forced calisthenics to the point of injury (“smokings”), and public humiliation. The Leonel Bermudez case at UH involved forced “study blocks,” overnight chauffeuring, and being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding.”

Violent Hazing: This has a high potential for death or severe injury. It includes forced alcohol consumption (like the “Big/Little” nights that have killed pledges), physical beatings or paddling, dangerous physical tests, sexualized acts, and extreme exposure. Bermudez’s case includes being forced to consume milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, followed by immediate sprints, leading to rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.

This abuse doesn’t just happen in fraternity houses. It occurs in sororities, Corps of Cadets programs, athletic teams, spirit groups like the Texas Cowboys, marching bands, and other campus organizations. The common threads are coercion, secrecy, and a toxic tradition that prioritizes group loyalty over individual safety.

The Texas Law & Liability Framework: What Families in Henderson County Need to Know

When hazing impacts a family from our community, Texas law provides specific avenues for criminal punishment and civil accountability. Understanding this framework is the first step toward justice.

Texas Education Code, Chapter 37 (Hazing): This is the cornerstone. It defines hazing broadly and makes it a crime. Key points for Caney City families:

• It’s a Crime: Hazing is at least a Class B misdemeanor. It becomes a state jail felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death.
• Consent is Irrelevant: Section 37.155 clearly states that the victim’s consent is not a defense. The law recognizes the power imbalance and coercion inherent in these situations.
• Personal & Organizational Liability: Individuals who haze can go to jail. Organizations that authorize or knowingly permit hazing can face fines up to $10,000 and loss of university recognition.
• Protection for Reporters: Those who report hazing in good faith are immune from civil or criminal liability for their own minor involvement, encouraging life-saving calls to 911.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases:

• Criminal Cases: Brought by the state (e.g., Henderson County District Attorney or a county where the school is located). The goal is punishment: jail, fines, probation.
• Civil Cases: Brought by the victim and their family. The goal is compensation for damages and institutional accountability. These are the cases we handle. A criminal conviction is not required to file a civil lawsuit; we prove our case based on a “preponderance of the evidence.”

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Lawsuit?
Our investigation always looks at the full picture to identify every responsible party, which can include:

1. The Individual Perpetrators: The members who planned, executed, or covered up the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter: The fraternity, sorority, or team as an entity.
3. The National Organization: Headquarters that collect dues, set policies, and have a history of similar incidents across the country (like Pi Kappa Phi in the Bermudez case).
4. The University: Schools can be liable for negligent supervision, failing to act on prior knowledge, or violating duties under Title IX.
5. Third Parties: Property owners, landlords of off-campus houses, or event venues.

National Hazing Case Patterns: The Scripts That Keep Repeating

The tragic case at the University of Houston is not an anomaly. It follows a national playbook. Understanding these patterns shows that these are foreseeable, preventable tragedies.

The Alcohol Poisoning Script:

• Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi, 2017): A bid-acceptance night of forced drinking led to fatal falls. Brothers delayed calling 911 for hours. The result was massive criminal charges and a new Pennsylvania law.
• Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021): A pledge was forced to drink a bottle of liquor during a “Big/Little” event. He died of alcohol poisoning. The family secured a $10 million settlement.
• Max Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta, 2017): A “Bible study” drinking game turned fatal, leading to the Max Gruver Act in Louisiana, which strengthened felony hazing penalties.

The Physically Violent Ritual Script:

• Chun “Michael” Deng (Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi, 2013): A blindfolded pledge was repeatedly tackled during a “glass ceiling” ritual at a remote retreat, suffering fatal head injuries. The national fraternity was convicted of criminal charges.

What This Means for Texas Families: These cases create legal precedent and show clear patterns of misconduct. When a fraternity at UH or Texas A&M engages in the same forced drinking or violent rituals that have killed students elsewhere, it powerfully demonstrates that the national organization and the university knew or should have known of the extreme risks. This “foreseeability” is central to proving negligence in a civil case.

Texas Universities: A Guide for Caney City & Henderson County Families

Where do Henderson County students go? Many attend nearby schools like Trinity Valley Community College or Texas A&M University-Commerce. Countless others head to the state’s flagship institutions. Wherever your student is, understanding the campus landscape is critical.

University of Houston (UH) & The Flagship Case

For families in our region, UH is a major destination. The ongoing Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi case is a current, severe example of what can happen.

• The Incident: Bermudez, a Fall 2025 pledge, endured months of abuse including a degrading “pledge fanny pack,” forced labor, and extreme physical hazing at locations including the chapter house and Yellowstone Boulevard Park. A November 3rd “workout” of 100+ push-ups and 500 squats led to rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure, and a 4-day hospitalization.
• The Response: Pi Kappa Phi nationals suspended the chapter on November 6, 2025. Members voted to surrender their charter on November 14. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing.”
• The Lawsuit: Our firm filed a $10 million lawsuit in Harris County against UH, its Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi nationals, the chapter housing corporation, and 13 individual members. This case is active litigation, not a historical footnote.
• For Caney City Parents: If your child is at UH, this case demonstrates the severe risks that exist. Reporting channels include the UH Dean of Students and UHPD. Any civil litigation would likely be filed in Harris County District Court.

Texas A&M University & The Corps of Cadets

Texas A&M’s unique culture includes a powerful Corps of Cadets and strong Greek life, both with documented hazing issues.

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Chemical Burns Case (2021): Pledges alleged being doused with an industrial-strength cleaner among other substances, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. A $1 million lawsuit was filed.
• Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Lawsuit (2023): A cadet alleged degrading hazing including being bound between beds in a simulated sexual position with an apple in his mouth. He sought over $1 million in damages.
• For Caney City Parents: The Corps and fraternities are deeply intertwined with A&M tradition. Hazing reports go to the Student Conduct Office and the Corps Commandant. Brazos County courts have jurisdiction.

University of Texas at Austin

UT Austin maintains one of the most transparent hazing violation logs in the state, which can be a powerful tool for families.

• Public Hazing Log: UT’s website lists sanctions against groups like Pi Kappa Alpha (for forced milk consumption and calisthenics) and spirit organizations for forced workouts and alcohol hazing.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Assault Case (2024): An Australian exchange student allegedly suffered a dislocated leg, broken nose, and other injuries at an SAE party, leading to a lawsuit.
• For Caney City Parents: UT’s public log can be used to show a chapter’s prior misconduct. Jurisdiction for lawsuits typically lies in Travis County.

Southern Methodist University (SMU) & Baylor University

These private, prestigious schools have their own histories.

• SMU – Kappa Alpha Order: The chapter was suspended in 2017 for paddling, forced drinking, and sleep deprivation.
• Baylor – Baseball Team Hazing (2020): Fourteen players were suspended following a hazing investigation.
• For Caney City Parents: Private universities have different procedural rules but are not immune from civil liability. Lawsuits would be filed in Dallas County (SMU) or McLennan County (Baylor).

The Greek Ecosystem: National Histories and Local Chapters

Fraternities and sororities are not isolated clubs; they are local chapters of billion-dollar national organizations. This national connection is key to liability. Our firm maintains the Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, a proprietary database built from public records that tracks over 1,400 Greek-related entities across Texas. This allows us to immediately identify the network of liability behind any chapter.

Why National Histories Matter: When a chapter at UT or Texas A&M repeats the same dangerous “tradition” that killed a pledge at a school in Ohio or Louisiana, it proves the national organization failed to eradicate a known, deadly risk. This pattern evidence is crucial for proving negligence.

A Sample from Our Public Records Directory (Relevant to Texas Families):
The following are real Texas-registered organizations from IRS and public data, showing the complex web of entities behind Greek letters:

• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc – EIN 46-2267515 – Frisco, TX 75035 (IRS B83 Filing)
• Pi Kappa Phi Delta Omega Chapter Building Corporation – EIN 37-1768785 – Missouri City, TX 77459 (IRS B83 Filing)
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc – EIN 74-1380362 – Fort Worth, TX 76147 (IRS B83 Filing)
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon – Texas Sigma Incorporated – EIN 88-2755427 – San Marcos, TX 78666 (IRS B83 Filing)
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity – Arlington-Grand Prairie Alumni Chapter – EIN 23-2452759 – Grand Prairie, TX 75054 (IRS B83 Filing)
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – University of Texas at Tyler – EIN 35-2335400 – Tyler, TX 75799 (IRS B83 Filing)

This is just a fraction. In the Houston metro area alone, public data shows 188 Greek-related organizations. For parents in Caney City, this means the organization that harmed your child is likely part of a vast, documented network with assets, insurance, and a legal identity. We know how to find them.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

When a family from Henderson County comes to us, we immediately deploy an investigative strategy honed from 25+ years of complex litigation, including cases against giants like BP. We don’t just take a statement; we build a fortress of evidence.

Critical Evidence We Pursue:

1. Digital Evidence: GroupMe, WhatsApp, and Instagram chats are the modern smoking gun. We use digital forensics to recover deleted messages that show planning, bragging, and cover-ups.
2. Internal Chapter Records: Pledge manuals, meeting minutes, and emails between local and national officers.
3. University Records: Prior conduct violations, police reports, and Clery Act filings obtained through discovery or public records requests.
4. Medical Evidence: Comprehensive records detailing the immediate injury and long-term prognosis, from ER reports to psychological evaluations for PTSD.
5. Witness Testimony: Other pledges, former members, roommates, and bystanders.

Understanding Damages: What Can Be Recovered
In a civil lawsuit, we seek to make the victim whole and hold defendants accountable. Recoverable damages include:

• Economic Damages: All medical bills (past and future), lost wages, costs of therapy, and diminished future earning capacity if the injury is permanent.
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional suffering, trauma, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages (if applicable): Funeral costs, loss of financial support, and the profound loss of companionship for the family.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of extreme recklessness or intentional conduct, courts can award damages to punish the defendant and deter future behavior.

Our experience with multi-million dollar wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases means we know how to properly value a life-altering injury like rhabdomyolysis, brain damage, or severe psychological trauma.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Caney City Parents and Students

For Parents: Warning Signs and Steps to Take

Warning Signs Your Child Is Being Hazed:

• Unexplained injuries, bruises, or burns.
• Extreme physical or mental exhaustion, sleep deprivation.
• Sudden secrecy about organization activities.
• Personality changes: anxiety, depression, withdrawal.
• Constant, anxious phone use related to group chats.
• Financial requests for unexplained “fines” or “supplies.”

What to Do If You Suspect Hazing:

1. Prioritize Safety & Health: If injured, get medical care immediately. Go to the ER in Athens, Tyler, or Dallas if needed.
2. Preserve Evidence: Help your child screenshot ALL group chats and texts. Photograph injuries. Save any physical items.
3. Document: Write down everything your child says with dates and names.
4. Report Strategically: You can report to the university’s Dean of Students and/or campus police. Consider also filing a report with the local police where the hazing occurred.
5. Consult a Lawyer Early: Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 before making statements to university investigators or insurance adjusters.

For Students: Your Rights and How to Exit Safely

• You have the right to be safe. “Tradition” is not an excuse for abuse.
• You can say no and leave. Texas law protects you. Send a clear text or email resigning your pledge status. You do not owe them an in-person meeting.
• If you are in immediate danger, call 911. Texas has medical amnesty laws that can protect you from minor charges when seeking help for someone in need.
• Preserve evidence. Take screenshots, photos, and notes. Your phone is your best witness.

Critical Mistakes That Can Damage a Case

1. Deleting Evidence: Do not let your child “clean up” their phone. Deleted messages can sometimes be recovered, but screenshots are immediate proof.
2. Confronting the Organization Directly: This triggers their defense lawyers and leads to evidence destruction.
3. Signing University “Resolution” Forms: These often include waivers of your right to sue. Do not sign anything without an attorney.
4. Posting on Social Media: Defense investigators monitor everything. Keep details private.
5. Waiting Too Long: Texas has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury, but evidence and witness memory fade fast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can we sue a public university like UT or Texas A&M?
A: Yes, but there are complexities like sovereign immunity. We use strategies to overcome these barriers, such as alleging gross negligence or suing individuals in their personal capacity. Universities often settle to avoid public trials.

Q: My child “agreed” to participate. Do we still have a case?
A: Absolutely. Texas Education Code § 37.155 states consent is not a defense to hazing. The law recognizes the coercive power of peer pressure and tradition.

Q: The hazing happened off-campus at a rented house. Does that matter?
A: No. Liability extends to off-campus activities if the organization sponsored, knew about, or should have known about them. National fraternities and universities cannot hide behind geography.

Q: How much does it cost to hire your firm?
A: We work on a contingency fee basis for personal injury cases. This means you pay no upfront fees or hourly costs. We only get paid if we successfully recover money for you. You can learn more in our video explaining contingency fees.

Why Attorney911 for Hazing Cases: A Texas Firm for Henderson County Families

When your family faces a hazing crisis, you need more than a lawyer; you need advocates who understand the intricate power dynamics of Texas universities and national Greek organizations. You need a firm with the resources to fight billion-dollar institutions and the compassion to guide you through this trauma. At The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911), we are that firm.

Our Proven Advantage for Texas Hazing Cases:

1. Active, High-Stakes Litigation Experience: Right now, we are lead counsel in the $10 million Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi case. We are not theorizing about hazing law; we are actively fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in the country. This is the level of expertise we bring to every case.

2. Insider Insurance Knowledge: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him), spent years as an insurance defense attorney for a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies undervalue claims, deploy delay tactics, and fight coverage. We use their playbook against them.

3. Complex Institutional Litigation: Managing Partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few Texas attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We have faced down billion-dollar defendants with unlimited legal budgets. Universities and national fraternities do not intimidate us.

4. The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: We don’t start from scratch. Our proprietary database, built from thousands of public records (like the examples above), allows us to immediately map the entire network of liability—local chapters, housing corporations, alumni associations, and national headquarters—that stands behind the organization that harmed your child.

5. Dual Civil & Criminal Expertise: Ralph Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the criminal side of hazing investigations. We can effectively advise families and witnesses navigating parallel criminal and civil proceedings.

6. Full-Service Investigative Resources: We have a network of experts we deploy immediately: digital forensics specialists to recover deleted messages, medical experts to document long-term injuries, economists to calculate lifelong damages, and psychologists to evaluate trauma.

We serve families across Texas from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. For parents in Town of Caney City, Eustace, Murchison, and all of Henderson County, we are your dedicated Texas hazing litigation team. We understand the values of our community and the profound trust you place in universities. When that trust is broken, we are here to help you rebuild and hold the powerful accountable.

Your Next Step: A Free, Confidential Consultation

If hazing has impacted your family, you do not have to navigate this alone. The path to answers and accountability begins with a conversation.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC, for a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation. During this call, we will:

• Listen carefully to your story.
• Explain the legal options available under Texas law.
• Discuss the investigation process and what to expect.
• Answer your questions about timelines, costs, and strategy.
• 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.

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.

Se habla Español. Para una consulta confidencial en español, contacte directamente a Mr. Lupe Peña a lupe@atty911.com.

We are the Legal Emergency Lawyers™. We are here to help.

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
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com | lupe@atty911.com