A scandal is brewing in Seville following the tragic death of schoolgirl Sandra Peña. Her family, frustrated by the lack of concrete action from the administration of Irlandesas de Loreto school, is preparing a lawsuit against the institution and its management. Sandra’s parents are convinced that, had the protocols for fighting bullying and suicide prevention been properly enforced, their daughter would still be alive. Questions for the school are piling up, while answers remain elusive.
Several months have passed since the tragedy, yet neither the school administration nor the teachers have made any effort to open a dialogue with the bereaved family. According to Sandra’s uncle, Isaac Villar, the parents are not seeking solace—they want an admission of mistakes and concrete steps to prevent this from happening again. For them, this is not just a personal tragedy but a matter of public safety.
Investigation stalls
After Sandra’s death, the administrative investigation initiated by the regional education ministry quickly stalled. Once the case landed with the Juvenile Prosecutor’s Office, all progress came to a halt. Investigators are looking into not only the actions—or inaction—of the school, but also the behavior of three classmates suspected of bullying. However, final conclusions are still a long way off; numerous witnesses are yet to be questioned, and deadlines keep shifting.
While officials debate possible sanctions, the Peña family is not waiting for mercy from the system. They insist that if the school is found guilty, the punishment must be as severe as possible. For private schools, the highest penalty is the withdrawal of public funding, but for the parents, this is not enough. They demand criminal charges for those they believe ignored warning signs and failed to protect the child.
The School’s Silence
After the tragedy, Irlandesas de Loreto issued only a few official statements and promised to create a ‘space for dialogue.’ In reality, according to the family, there was no such dialogue. After the funeral, contact with the administration virtually ceased. During this time, the parents received only two emails: one dealing with formal matters and the other asking for permission to hold a memorial Mass.
Meanwhile, in the Carretera de Carmona district where Sandra lived, graffiti appeared accusing the school administration. The city was swept by a wave of outrage, and a mass protest took place on the streets of Sevilla. People demanded change and justice, while heated debates raged on social media over who was to blame.
Officials’ Position
Regional officials claim they support the family and are keeping the situation under control. Sandra’s parents are waiting for a personal meeting with the head of the Ministry of Education to find out why the investigation has stalled. According to officials, they are in contact with the family, but the relatives themselves believe this is not enough. They want not just words, but real action.
Authorities admit the school failed in its duty to protect the student. Sandra’s mother repeatedly approached administrators with complaints about bullying, provided psychological evaluations, and asked for her daughter to be transferred to another class. However, her requests went unanswered. Now the family demands that those responsible face not only administrative, but also criminal charges.
Public outcry
Sandra Peña’s death has shocked the nation. In Seville and beyond, people are asking how such a tragedy could happen in modern Spain. Parents of other children who have faced bullying have joined together and are demanding that the government tighten laws and require schools to respond to any signs of bullying. Public trust in educational institutions is eroding, and many are left wondering: who’s next?
Sandra’s family has no intention of giving up. Their goal is to seek justice and ensure that no other child ever faces a similar situation. They believe that only through the courts can the system be made to work and protect children from adult indifference. While the investigation stalls and the school remains silent, the family’s persistence has become the main driving force for change.
