Donovan Mitchell Speaks About Death Of Davis County Girl, Alleged Victim Of Bullying
Nov 11, 2021, 11:53 AM
Photo: Debby Worthen, KSL TV
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell spoke about the death of a 10-year-old Davis County girl, Isabella Faith Tichenor.
“It’s mind-boggling. It’s sad, it’s, it’s just flat out disgusting,” Mitchell opened.
Brittany Tichenor, the mother of Isabella Faith Tichenor, says her daughter, who was Black and autistic, was bullied at Foxboro Elementary. The family accuses the teachers of being part of the problem. They also allege the school district did nothing about it, reports KSL Newsradio.
“But like, no one did anything. You know, she was an autistic, black child and girl … our jobs, especially in the education forum is just inspire and teach our youth to grow to be better people than we are … and the fact that, as adults, people sat there and let this continue to get to a point where a 10-year-old girl killed herself over that, to me it doesn’t sit right, it doesn’t doesn’t feel right,” Mitchell added.
Mitchell’s teammate Joe Ingles was also vocal about the tragedy on Twitter. He spoke about the situation on Thursday.
“As an organization, there’s no doubt that everyone’s behind them. Whatever we can do, we had a really good chat about some things that we can do obviously now, to try and help as best we can,” Ingles said. “But also in the future to make sure this doesn’t happen again. And not just to a kid with special needs just any kid every kid, every adult, everyone … deserves to go to work or school or whatever we are doing and go and be free and enjoy it.”
#StandForIzzy pic.twitter.com/Y1sYEeiemj
— Joe Ingles (@Joeingles7) November 9, 2021
“It’s one of those things where it’s like, as a human being, how do you let it get to that point? How do you, especially after being told about, you know, you can’t say you didn’t know. And I think that’s something that I’m still wondering, I can only imagine what her family is going through my heart, my sincerest condolences go to her family,” Mitchell said.
Bullied 10-Year-Old Dies By Suicide
Brittany Tichenor recalled her 10-year-old daughter telling her that she didn’t think her teacher liked her. The mother also claimed the teacher said the class smelled.
Brittany Tichenor wants all parents to understand all children are unique. And that is what makes them special, she said at a vigil held for Izzy.
Hundreds of people attended a prayer vigil for the family of 10-year-old Izzy Tichener. The autistic girl killed herself last weekend. The family says she was bullied. More tonight ok @KSL5TV at 10. pic.twitter.com/g5dFixwKwh
— Debbie Worthen (@DebbieWorthen) November 10, 2021
“We need to make sure that whatever flaw our children have,” she said. “That we make sure they understand (it) is not a flaw. That is what makes you, you. That’s what makes you special.”
Davis School Leaders Investigating
The Davis School District issued the following statement:
It read: “We, like everyone, are devastated by the death of this child. Our hearts go out to the family. Foxboro Elementary has worked extensively with the family and will continue to provide help to them and others impacted by this tragedy. We take all incidents and reports of bullying seriously. At this point, the incident we are aware of involved another student. The teacher and administration responded quickly and appropriately. As with all allegations of bullying, our investigation will continue.”
The suicide comes just two weeks after a scathing report by the U.S. Department of Justice on the Davis School District, saying there is “serious widespread racial harassment.”
The report went on to say, “Many black students said the harassment was so pervasive and happened so often in front of adults that they concluded school employees condoned the behavior and believed reporting it further would be futile.”
Suicide prevention resources
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or exhibiting warning signs, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or the Utah Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255, which is answered 24/7/365 by crisis counselors at Huntsman Mental Health Institute.
You can also text TALK to 741741, and parents, students and educators can download the SafeUT app chat or call 833-3SAFEUT (723388) to connect with a licensed crisis counselor.
Additional resources
- Parents, students, and educators can download the SafeUT app chat or call 833-3SAFEUT to connect with a licensed crisis counselor.
- First responders, including firefighters, law enforcement, EMS, and healthcare professionals, can chat with a crisis counselor at no cost 24/7/365 by downloading the SafeUT Frontline app and members of the National Guard can access help through the SafeUTNG app.
- For non-crisis situations, when you need a listening ear as you heal and recover from a personal struggle, call the Utah Warm Line at 1-833-SPEAKUT (773-2588) 8 a.m. – 11 p.m., 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
- At Huntsman Mental Health Institute, women can access maternal mental health services including birth trauma, pregnancy loss, infertility, and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
- LiveOnUtah.org, a campaign by the Utah Suicide Prevention Coalition offers suicide prevention training and has resources for faith-based groups, youth, LGBTQ+, and Employers.
Other community-based organizations that provide suicide prevention services, support groups, mental health education, counseling services and support:
- NAMI Utah: education, support and advocacy for individuals and families impacted by mental illness
- Latino Behavioral Health Services: Latinx mental health education and support
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: Utah Chapter
- Encircle Utah: LGBTQ+ family and youth resource center
- Utah Pride Center: empowers Utah’s diverse LGBTQ+ community
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs mental health
- Center for Workplace Mental Health: suicide prevention and response for employers
Additional crisis hotlines
- Utah County Crisis Line: 801-226-4433
- Salt Lake County/UNI Crisis Line: 801-587-3000
- Wasatch Mental Health Crisis Line: 801-373-7393
- National Suicide Prevention Crisis Text Line: Text “HOME” to 741-741
- Trevor Project Hotline for LGBTQ teens: 1-866-488-7386
KSL Newsradio and KSL TV contributed to this report.
