Image of 10-year-old Izzy Tichener, used at a moment of silence held by the Utah Jazz on Nov. 12, 2021, in honor of the child who died by suicide.
SALT LAKE CITY — The Davis School District said in a statement on Friday that they will “be bringing an independent investigation to look further” into claims that a 10-year-old student was bullied and that the bullying may have led to the child’s death by suicide.
The District’s statement went on to indicate that the investigation will also review their handling of “critical issues, such as bullying, to provide a safe and welcoming environment for all students.”
Isabella Faith Tichenor, Izzy for short, was a Black autistic girl that attended Foxboro Elementary School in the Davis School District. When her family spoke to the media last week, they said accused Izzy’s teachers as being part of the problem.
They also allege the Davis School District did nothing about it.
The district recently issued the following statement:
“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 district was the recent subject of a scathing report by the US Department of Justice, which found “serious widespread racial harassment” within the district.
The report said many Black students were harassed in a way that was pervasive, and that the harassment often happened right in front of school employees.
The school says is offering its trained and licensed therapists to talk with children who may be struggling with this news… and help parents facilitate these discussions.
If you or your loved ones are struggling with thoughts of suicide, please know that there is help for you. Reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at. 1-800-273-TALK.