EDUCATION + SCHOOLS

Independent investigation reports no evidence Izzy Tichenor was bullied before her death

Apr 1, 2022, 7:18 PM | Updated: Apr 6, 2022, 1:48 pm

A family photo shows Isabella “Izzy” Tichenor, who at 10 years old died by suicide over the second weekend in November, 2021, after her family says she was bullied. (Photo courtesy of Tichenor-Cox family)

(Photo courtesy of Tichenor-Cox family)

BY KIRA HOFFELMEYER

Assistant News Director

DAVIS COUNTY, Utah — The Davis School District has released its report on the death of 9-year-old Izzy Tichenor, who died by suicide in the fall of 2021.

The district announced it would investigate the child’s death back in November.

You can read the entire report’s findings for yourself, here.

The report’s main findings on death of Izzy Tichenor

One: The independent team from the district reported finding no evidence to support that Tichenor was bullied for being Black or autistic.

The team was simply told to look at allegations from Tichenor’s mother, Brittany Tichenor-Cox, surrounding race and/or disability. During the course of the investigation, the team did find that Tichenor-Cox complained to the district that her daughter was being bullied for her hygiene. The investigative team did not delve into that, as it was “not authorized… to investigate Mrs. Tichenor-Cox’s allegations that Izzy may have been bullied on any ground that was not race or disability.”

The report says the team did not receive authorization to investigate complaints against specific people at the school.

Davis district launches partnership against racism in schools

Two: Foxboro Elementary School knew of the allegations from Tichenor-Cox, and responded.

Three: Investigators report that teachers, administrators, and staff did not know the district’s definition of bullying.

Four: The school did not document or record the reporting of the bullying in a timely way.

The report’s recommendations

In step with its four areas of problem, the independent investigation team gave four areas of improvement for the district to work on.

One: Provide training for administrators and teachers to spot and intervene when they see bullying.

Two: Provide diversity and equity training to staff, administrators, and teachers.

Three: Provide trauma-informed, poverty training to its administrators and teachers.

Four: Have the elementary school establish protocols for record-keeping and reporting.

Davis School District’s statement

“Once again, the Davis School District expresses its sorrow and sincere, heartfelt condolences to the family of Izzy Tichenor.

“We thank the Independent Review Team for its work and its diligence. We are studying the report and reviewing its recommendations. We are taking it seriously.

“We vow to continue our ongoing and extensive efforts to foster a welcoming environment for all students in the Davis School District.”

Reaction to Izzy Tichenor probe

The investigative team issued the following statement to KSL on Friday night.

After thoughtful deliberation, the Investigation Team unanimously agreed on the Findings and Recommendations contained in the Report and Executive Summary provided to the District. The Investigation Team looks forward to the District’s response and actions related to our recommendations.

Additionally, KSL reached out to the attorney for the family of Izzy Tichenor for comment. The attorney texted, “No comment.”