Six and a half months after Israel “Izzy” Scott drowned during a swim lesson, a woman named Lexie Tenhuisen has been charged with manslaughter.
The news came December 30 through a press release from District Attorney Jared T. Williams of the Augusta Court of Justice.
“After months of dedicated forensic investigation, investigation and analysis, we have concluded that there has been a criminal offense in the death of Israel Scott. I have instructed the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to issue an arrest warrant for Lexie Tenhuisen for involuntary manslaughter.”
Williams continued, noting that — despite calls to charge Tenhuisen with a felony — the facts of the case would not permit such a move. He also shared that Izzy’s parents are focusing on blaming the instructor to try to “make sure no family has to go through this pain again.”
“Many people are calling for felony prosecution and long prison sentences for this crime. Neither the law nor the facts support such an outcome. After discussing the decision, both the family and the State of Georgia agreed that the purpose of this prosecution was not punishment, but accountability…[W]We can protect children across this state, trying to make sure no family has to go through this pain again. Ultimately, I believe that Izzy’s legacy will be a lasting change.”
Lexie Tenhuisen does not allow Izzy’s mother to supervise the lesson
Like Shade room Previously reported, the tragedy happened on Izzy’s second day of swimming lessons on June 14.
In conversation with Justin Carter’s TSR investigation, Izzy’s mother—Dori Scott—recalls that Lexie wouldn’t let her parents watch swimming lessons. As a result, Dori was sitting in her car outside the swimming coach’s residence when she received the bad news.
“A lady came and she knocked on my window. I was sitting in the car and she said ‘Come pick up your baby’ and when she said that she said it was a bit rude. Then I looked at her face and I just saw her tears, so at first I knew something was wrong and I started screaming.”
Although a nurse at the scene performed CPR, Izzy remained unresponsive and was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Shortly after the incident, Burke County Sheriff Alfonzo Williams announced that authorities would “not be able to proceed with this case” because it “lacks sufficient evidence to demonstrate criminal negligence.” Chronicles of Augusta report.
However, the District Attorney soon released a reassuring statement, sharing that “decisions on any potential charges will be made independently of any other agency.”
The family reacts to the charge
Now, with the news that the DA has charged Lexie with manslaughter, Izzy’s family feels more relieved as they continue to work through their grief.
In a statement to WFXG Fox 54Izzy’s father—Walt Scott—talked about how pleased he was to see the swim instructor held accountable.
“ONEWhenever you leave a child in someone else’s care and you don’t get the child back the way you sent them, that person is ultimately responsible, to whatever extent. tI see the hat pretty clearly, and the main point we’re talking about is just that, nothing else but that.”
As for Dori Scott, she reflected on the “void” her family continues to feel after Izzy’s passing.
“ONEAll three of my children are different, without his tiny caring energy around – even our car rides are different. WI was sitting in the car and everyone was just quiet because everyone felt that void.”
We will keep you updated on any further developments in the case.
