Independent investigation will look at bullying in Davis School District

NORTH SALT LAKE, Utah – An independent investigation will be done into how the Davis School District handles reports of bullying.

It comes after the death of Isabella “Izzy” Faith Tichenor, a 10-year-old girl who died by suicide after her family says she was bullied at school.

District officials had previously said the teacher and administration responded quickly and appropriately to the allegations and an investigation was still underway. 

The district announced the independent investigation Friday with a statement that read, in part, “The well-being of our students will always be a priority, and we are committed to preventing this from happening in the future.”

Hundreds of people gathered for a vigil at Foxboro Elementary in North Salt Lake earlier this week to remember Izzy, who was in fifth grade.

The Department of Justice also recently looked into what it called “persistent failures” at Davis School District.  

The investigation found “widespread racial harassment of Black and Asian American students,” including hundreds of instances of the use of racial slurs and epithets and physical assaults at dozens of schools. 

The district agreed to take steps to address the results. 

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 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 8:00 a.m.-11:00 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