Tragic Case of Tiffany Wright, Killed at 15
Charlotte, NC-
I don’t know what is going on in North Carolina, but when it comes to protecting the state’s children, they are failing and failing HORRIBLY !!! At 15 years old, Tiffany Wright had endured far more than her share of sadness and hard times.
At 2 years old, her birth mother lost custody, sending Tiffany into foster care in Buffalo,NY. Alma wright became Tiffany’s foster mother and adopted her, and in 2004-they relocated to Kings Mountain.
In January ‘09, Alma Wright died, and Tiffany was about to be sent to foster care yet again, until her adoptive brother, Royce Mitchell and wife, stepped forward and petitioned the court for legal guardianship of her.
Tiffany,15
The court granted the guardianship to Royce Mitchell (in Feb. 2009), either not researching his past criminal record, (and prison stay of 7 years)—or just didn’t care.
Tiffany became pregnant in either January or February, and after a home study was done in Royce’s home by DSS-Tiffany was removed and on February 27, 2009 Tiffany was placed in foster home again.
Royce Mitchell,36
Eventually, she disclosed to her foster mother, Susan Barber that Royce Mitchell had engaged in sex with Tiffany on two occasions and that he was the father of her unborn baby Aaliyah. The foster mom immediately contacted DSS with this information.
Vigil for Tiffany(Charlotte Observer)
From the time of this disclosure to her foster mom, it wasn’t until July 27, 2009 that DSS reports allegations of statutory rape by Royce to the police. Then for some reason, the police didn’t interview Tiffany until August 19, 2009 about the allegations. So then, September rolls around and Charlotte police detectives ‘left messages’ for Mitchell’s wife regarding Tiffany and requesting a returned call from Royce Mitchell.
Royce never bothered to return the phone call to the police detectives (in fact sources say he flat out told the police he was NOT coming in for questioning) and because of this delayed investigation/laziness on the part of authorities on September 11, 2009, Tiffany was shot in the head while waiting for her school bus to Hawthorne High School.
Yes I say it’s their fault as well. The girl was shot, and police say her brother Royce Mitchell was the shooter. The baby Aaliyah was delivered (Carolina Medical Center) and survived a week in critical condition, before dying on Sept. 20th.
Royce Mitchell has now been charged with:
- Satutory rape
- Indecent liberties with a child
- and probation violations as a result of the abuse of Tiffany.
I am furious that this girl who had an extremely difficult childhood was let down in this way by agencies that were supposed to protect her from harm at all cost.
How could they let this happen to Tiffany? Since when does the court ALLOW a convicted felon, ONE by the way who did a prison stint of seven years , had a domestic violence complaint against him-and was INDICTED in a murder case, have a 15 year-old-child?
and since when does an alleged child predator like Royce GET to tell police, that he is ‘NOT gonna’ come in to talk with them?
That should have raised Huge red flags right there-of guilt! If I were the police, I would have followed him and hauled his ass in over something as minor as failure to wear his seatbelt, to get him into questioning.You can’t just say “Oh well! and throw up your hands and shrug your shoulders, WTH????
This child’s life mattered, Tiffany was a child that despite the obstacles in her short life, the foster care, changing schools,the abuse and the resulting pregnancy– was striving to become somebody! She ran track, according to teachers, was very focused, wanting to accomplish goals she set for herself.
Police didn’t act proactively in this case and I blame them for Tiffany’s death and her baby’s. They need to be held accountable. Period.
Charlotte police and social workers are facing increased heat for their handling of Tiffany’s rape and murder.
Shirley Boston, Tiffany’s grandmother, says they could have done so much more in the weeks leading up to the pregnant girl’s murder. Her rape was first reported to police by social workers all the way back in late July. And even though they had a concrete suspect, her brother Royce Mitchell, they still hadn’t arrested him seven weeks later at the time of her slaying. -The Associated Press.
Rest in peace Tiffany Wright and baby Aaliyah.
Source: The Charlotte Observer
