Isabella “Izzy” Tichenor, a 10-year-old African-American autistic student from Utah, committed suicide last Saturday after allegedly being bullied by classmates, while her family’s complaints were ignored
10-year-old girl with autism committed suicide after being bullied at school
The tragedy comes just weeks after the Department of Justice publicly detailed a disturbing pattern in which black and Asian-American students in the Davis School District in Farmington, Utah, were bullied for years and officials deliberately ignored complaints from parents and students.
The DOJ detailed the pattern in a report and settlement agreement that were released in October. The agency had been investigating the school district since July 2019.
“Izzy was a happy child. She was a happy child, she was doing well in school … All she wanted was to be connected to family and friends,” said attorney Tyler Ayres.
Izzy’s mother and stepfather, Brittany Clark Tichenor Cox and Charles Cox, said they became aware that their daughter was being bullied around September, Ayres told CNN.
“They found her carrying a bottle of “Febreze” (odor eliminator) to school, and when they asked her why they said she said because the kids said it stunk,” Ayres told CNN.
Ayres also said the kids allegedly used the n-word and taunted Izzy repeatedly.
According to Ayres, Brittany and Charles sought out Izzy’s teacher to present their complaints, but “when they realized they were not making progress … they went to the principal. The principal referred them to the assistant principal and with the assistant principal they felt very unheard and very neglected.”
