Whistleblowers Claim Suicide of Sebastopol 4th Grader Caused by Alleged Sexual Predator Jeremiah Ortega

26-year-old Ortega was recently arrested for having child sexual abuse material in his possession and sexually assaulting small dogs. Whistleblowers claim he was the stepfather of the late 4th grader.

Per a February 21, 2025 article in The Press Democrat:

A fourth-grade student at Park Side Elementary in Sebastopol has died, the school district has told families in a series of messages.

The 10-year-old was taken off life support earlier this week after being hospitalized in Oakland over the weekend. The Alameda County Coroner’s Office, which has jurisdiction over the case, has not released an official cause of death.

“There are many questions and concerns in our community regarding this tragedy,” one of the school district’s messages read. That message also noted “we do not have additional details to share at this time. ...

“We are deeply committed to continue doing everything in our power to ensure the support and care of all of our students. We know that there are no words that will help to heal the pain of this tragic loss, but we are strident in our commitment to take action to help us heal and strengthen our community.”

The message was signed by Sebastopol Union School District Superintendent Sara Gramm, Park Side Principal Molly Bulwa, Vice Principal Rachel Lasek and school psychologist Eric Dick.

The Sebastopol Police Department did not respond to a request for comment.

On social media, some who knew the student shared concerns about bullying, though details remain unconfirmed. Two GoFundMe memorial campaigns have been launched to support the student’s family, and a candlelight vigil was held Thursday.

The student’s death has shaken the Sebastopol community, prompting calls for more mental health resources and stronger anti-bullying efforts in schools.

In response, the district organized a discussion with mental health professionals for third- and fourth-grade students Friday, along with an information session for parents and caregivers. Grief counselors and therapy dogs have been available on the Park Side campus throughout the week.

While the district has offered mental health support programs in the past, officials say this tragedy underscores the need for continued discussions on student well-being. In the weeks and months ahead, the district plans to continue workshops and conversations focused on mental health and student support.

There are many questions and concerns in our community regarding this tragedy. While we do not have additional official details to share at this time, we know there are many rumors and unconfirmed information circulating. One of those rumors is the possibility of suicide. Because this is such a serious topic, it is important for us to share as many resources as possible to support our students, staff, and families. The topic of suicide raises even more difficult and complex questions. We are here to support you and our students. We will continue to provide additional support on campus as we process this loss.

Tomorrow morning in the 3rd- and 4th-grade classrooms, we will have a supported conversation with mental health professionals to address the rumor of suicide.

There will not be directed conversations in the TK-2nd grade classrooms. If your student is in TK-2nd and you would like a mental health provider at school to address the rumor of suicide, please contact our staff.

At Brook Haven, we will not have direct conversations in 5th- through 8th-grade classrooms tomorrow. If you would like a mental health provider at school to address the rumor of suicide, please contact our staff. School-wide, we are planning to expand on the suicide prevention lessons that were presented in the fall to the 7th and 8th graders. In the coming weeks, we will share lessons that will focus on the importance of reaching out for assistance when needed, as well as reporting when hearing concerning information about a friend or classmate.

We will be offering a parent/caregiver support and information session from 3:00-3:45 p.m. tomorrow (Friday, Feb. 21) in Room 11 at Park Side. At the session, we will have mental health providers present to share tips about how to talk about death and suicide with young children, support their grief process, and how our community can begin healing. For those of you unable to make it, we will be happy to connect individually and share information.

Additionally, here are resources that may be helpful for families to review:

Supporting Children After the Loss of a Classmate to Suicide (English/Spanish) Helping Children Deal with Grief (English/Spanish)

Local Grief Resources Developmental Responses to Grief

Local Crisis and Resource Numbers

We are deeply committed to continue doing everything in our power to ensure the support and care of all of our students. We know that there are no words that will help to heal the pain of this tragic loss, but we are strident in our commitment to take action to help us heal and strengthen our community.

This support session is just the beginning of our conversation and community healing efforts. We will be facilitating additional conversations and workshops in the coming weeks and months on a variety of critical mental health and well-being topics.

With deep sympathy,

Sara Gramm, Molly Bulwa, Rachel Lasek, & Eric Dick

Sebastopol Union School District Administration

You can reach Tarini Mehta at 707-521-5337 or tarini.mehta@pressdemocrat.com. On X (Twitter) @MehtaTarini.

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Over the past week, I have been bombarded with messages from Sonoma County community members regarding the tragic death of a 10-year-old, Jianna Duran, who passed away on February 18, 2025. I was informed by local whistleblowers that Jianna was the child referenced in the article published by The Sebastopol Times.

Mr. Michael Simpson organized a fundraiser on behalf of Ms. Cassandra Perez following the passing of Jianna.

Ms. Cassandra ‘Cassie’ Perez appears to be the mother of the late Jianna.

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While it places me in an awkward position, multiple whistleblowers begged me to publish the truth behind Jianna’s death to help her receive justice. I summarized the statements I have received from community members as follows, but cannot verify the accuracy:

• I was informed that questions about Jianna’s death have gone unanswered by her mother, Cassandra Perez, and her family, Angie Perez, Jesus Perez, and Anthony Perez, who all lived in the home with her.

• I was informed that Ms. Cassandra Perez started dating alleged pedophile and dog rapist Jeremiah Ortega. They currently share a two-year-old daughter named Jazzy.

• Jeremiah Ortega is currently incarcerated due to charges of sexual assault and sexual acts with a minor, who is Jianna Duran. He was her stepfather for many years, and he was abusing her the whole time

  

• Changes were noticed in Jianna a couple of years ago, as she suddenly became very emo. Everything was dark around the time of her death. She wanted to transition into a boy and was becoming a furry, a movement that very depressed, unloved, and unseen children are embracing. Mr. Jeremiah Ortega was her stepfather for many years, and he was abusing her the whole time.

• Santa Rosa Police Detective Wagner is assigned to the case regarding Ortega and may be reached at 707-543-4041 to provide additional evidence.

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As I stated in the article, I cannot verify the statements presented by the whistleblowers close to the family. While the police investigation is ongoing, the community will surely learn the truth shortly. God bless Jianna Duran, and may her true story be revealed.

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

— 1 John 3:18