Six-and-a-half months after Israel “Izzy” Scott drowned throughout a swim lesson, a lady named Lexie Tenhuisen has been charged with one rely of involuntary manslaughter.
The information got here on Dec. 30 by way of a press launch from District Attorney Jared T. Williams of the Augusta Judicial Circuit.
“After months of dedicated inquiry, investigation, and legal analysis, we conclude that a criminal offense has occurred in the death of Israel Scott. I have instructed the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to issue an arrest warrant for Lexie Tenhuisen for the charge of Involuntary Manslaughter.”
Williams continued, noting that—regardless of calls to cost Tenhuisen with a felony—the information of the case wouldn’t permit for such a transfer. He additionally shared that Izzy’s dad and mom are centered on holding the teacher accountable in an try and “ensure no family need ever endure this pain again.”
“Many have called for felony charges and a lengthy prison sentence for this offense. Neither the law nor the facts support such a result. After discussing this decision, both the family and the State of Georgia are in lockstep that the aim of this prosecution is not retribution, but Accountability under the law…[W]e may be able to protect children across this state, striving to ensure no family need ever endure this pain again. In the end, I believe Izzy’s legacy will be lasting change.”
Lexie Tenhuisen Didn’t Allow Izzy’s Mother To Supervise The Lesson
As The Shade Room beforehand reported, the tragedy occurred on Izzy’s second day of swim classes again on June 14.
During a dialog with Justin Carter of TSR Investigates, Izzy’s mom—Dori Scott—recalled that Lexie didn’t let dad and mom to look at the swim classes. As a end result, Dori was sitting in her automobile exterior the the swim teacher’s residence when she acquired the devastating information.
“A lady comes and she knocks on my window. I’m sitting in the car and she’s like ‘Come get your baby,’ and when she said that, she said it kind of rude-like. Then I looked at her face and I just saw like tears in her eyes, so initially I knew something was wrong and I just started screaming.”
Despite an on-scene nurse administering CPR, Izzy remained unresponsive and was pronounced lifeless at a neighborhood hospital.
Shortly after the incident, Burke County Sheriff Alfonzo Williams introduced that authorities can be “unable to move forward with this case” as a result of it “lacks sufficient evidence to prove criminal negligence,” The Augusta Chronicle experiences.
However, the District Attorney quickly issued a reassuring assertion and shared that “the decision on any potential charges will be made independently of any other agency.”
Family Reacts To The Charge
Now, in response to the information that the DA has charged Lexie with involuntary manslaughter, Izzy’s household is feeling some aid as they proceed to navigate their grief.
In a press release to WFXG Fox 54, Izzy’s father—Walt Scott—spoke on how he’s glad to see the swim teacher being held accountable.
“Any time you leave a child under the care of someone else and you don’t get that child back the same way that you sent them off, then that person ultimately is responsible, to whatever extent it may be. That seems pretty clear to me, and the main thing we’ve been talking about is just that, nothing outside of that.”
As for Dori Scott, she mirrored on the “void” her household continues to really feel following the lack of Izzy.
“All three of my kids are different, not having his little, caring energy around is- even our car rides are different. We’re sitting in the car and everybody’s just quiet because everybody feels that void.”
We’ll preserve you up to date on any additional developments within the case.