Found Deceased WI - Kodie Dutcher, 10, may be suicidal, Baraboo, 6 July 2020

[Toodles5000]

@Toodles5000 - I could not agree more. I almost didn't post - there are so many thoughtful posts here. But I feel compelled by my recent experience with children and mental health crises. Last year a boy in my middle daughter's school committed suicide. 12 years old. Now my youngest, one year older than Kodie, has completely come unraveled during COVID. She is in an intact, two parent family with two close-in-age siblings, in the house/community she was born in.

I share this only because I feel that Kodie's situation is a literal recipe for a mental health crisis. Move to a new place. Plus the isolation of COVID and online school. Plus alone in an apartment (at least some of the time). Plus parent required to work away from home during the COVID crisis. No other person in the home - that I can tell. Plus new parental relationship. Plus access to social media, specifically snap chat - which has absolutely no positive and unlimited negative. She seems so incredibly isolated it makes my heart ache.

I still have questions - so well articulated below. It does seem that the circumstances will allow LE to pretty quickly determine - was there a video chat at 4? Was there a 911 call at 4:30. Was there evidence on the soles of her feet of walking.

No way around that this is an enormous sorrow. It has stuck with me since the thread title changed.

I'm so glad you did post, thank you for sharing. It's an important reminder that mental illness can happen to anyone - whether adult or a child - even with strong, stable, loving families around them. No matter where the investigation into this case leads, doesn't mean suicide isn't a possibility at this point.

 

[Beagle]

What I find strange is again the no shoes but the fact that she went into a corn field to overdose and not just do it at home.

 

[musicaljoke]

What I find strange is again the no shoes but the fact that she went into a corn field to overdose and not just do it at home.

It's hot and in the summertime, lots of rural kids go all day without shoes, so if that alone makes the suicide seem questionable, I might not be immediately convinced that she met with foul play. I just hope that there is a full investigation.

 

[ChatteringBirds]

? In my community, I don't know anyone who would leave a 10 year old child home alone while they go to work, so was anyone else there?

<rsbm>

In my community some 10-year-olds play together outside without adult supervision.
They're home alone sometimes.
That's just how life is some places, doesn't make it wrong.

 

[Caylee Advocate]

How to Spot Signs of Depressive Disorders in Children


We all need to take time out of our hectic day to sit down with our kids and really listen to them. Ask them how they are doing, and step away from being just a parent, and be their friend for a bit.

I am not laying blame here, just offering what has worked for me. I feel for the mother. Hopefully there was nothing to point fingers at. RIP Kodie.

 

[rosesfromangels]

I need more facts, because I’m not signing up to the current narrative. Waiting to hear more.

amateur opinion and speculation

 

[Seattle1]

What I find strange is again the no shoes but the fact that she went into a corn field to overdose and not just do it at home.

The no shoes struck me as odd so I re-watched the presser and it appears that before KD was located deceased, her mom took an inventory of what might be missing and said all her shoes were accounted for. We may still learn that KD was wearing flip flops or sandals that her mom did not recall.

 

[Seattle1]

Who are Kodie Dutcher’s, 10, parents and what have they said about her tragic death?

July 8, 2020

What happened to her?
Kodie's body was discovered by police at 11am in an area close to 11th Street and County Highway T, near her home in Baraboo.

Authorities issued the alert late Monday night as police frantically searched for the "endangered" missing girl.

She was last seen on Monday, July 6 in the 1100 block of 12th Street in Baraboo.

"We believe she did leave on her own. And we do believe that she may be in danger due to the ingestion of some medications," Baraboo Police Cpt Rob Sinden told WKOW.

[..]

"Kodie is suspected to have taken an unknown amount of pills and may be suicidal," the Amber Alert stated. "Emergency Services have checked the area but have not been able to locate Kodie."

Her body has since been found, but a cause of death has not yet been revealed.

What did she write in the note?
Before Kodie disappeared, she left a note behind that read: "Mom, I love you, but I can’t do it. Bye."

[..]

How long was she missing for?
Kodie has gone missing for a total of 19 hours.

She was last seen on Monday, July 6 at around 4pm and was found dead the following morning at 11am by a National Guard helicopter.

Kodie's body was found less than a mile from her home in a corn field.

Speaking at a Tuesday press conference, Lt. Ryan LaBroscian, a spokesperson for the Baraboo Police Department, said: "The last contact that the mother had with her was at 4pm via a Facebook chat or some sort of video chat.

“When mom arrived home from work that’s when she discovered her missing. And that was approximately 4.40pm, 4.30pm.”

Who are her parents?
Kodie's parents, who remain unnamed and haven't yet spoken publicly, were reportedly in attendance during the search for their daughter.

However, Kodie's mom, a registered nurse according to her Facebook, revealed the heartbreaking news about her daughter in a Tuesday post.

Her mom wrote: "So the most devastating news was given to me tonight. They located my daughters body but she was already gone.

"This is every mother’s worst night terror! Thank you all who took the time to look and pray.

"At least I know where she is and the worst is over for her. I am a mess as you can imagine. I am beyond stressed out thank you to everyone who has reached out."

Kodie and her family moved to Wisconsin in April and extended family that was living in the area had only been living there for a year, LaBroscian said.

[..]

The girl's mom reportedly told police officers: "Kodie was happy here."
She also claimed Kodie had been looking forward to an upcoming camping trip.

Authorities said Kodie's recent social media activity - which her mom had "very tight control over" - had shown "nothing out of the ordinary."

LaBroscian also explained that Kodie's mom had informed investigators that her daughter had not shown any signs of recent self-harm.

An investigation into Kodie's death remains underway.

 

[Seattle1]

July 8, 2020

Baraboo Police Department
15 hours ago
FROM THE CHIEF:

The Baraboo community experienced a tragedy Monday that will live with us all for a long time. In a time of fear and anger, our community also experienced shock and heartache. I am seldom shy with words, but today I cannot express my sadness. More important, I cannot find a way to express my appreciation.

Every person who called or reached out to us had a simple question for us, “What do you need, or what can I do?” Our needs today are simple. Care for each other. Maybe we can bring the love shown for a little girl few of us knew to the greater community and be better today with hopes of a better tomorrow. Kodie deserves that of us.

Thank you from the Baraboo Police Department and the entire City of Baraboo to everyone who gave so tirelessly of their time, talent, and selves in this difficult period.

Mark Schauf
Chief of Police

 

[Seattle1]

Tragic death of Baraboo 10-year-old spurs talk of youth mental health

July 8, 2020

Police said her tragic death opens the discussion of mental health for kids and teens.

"Something like this, obviously puts mental health front and center for everyone," Baraboo Police Lt. Ryan LaBroscian said.

LaBroscian said one of the ways community members can "care for each other" involves talking to kids and teens about their feelings.

“For Wisconsin, 15.7% of high school aged youths considered suicide, 7.4% of them attempted suicide.” Robin Matthies, Department of Health Services Public Health Trauma and Resilience program manager said. “Adults should ask them if they are having thoughts of suicide or thinking about killing themselves.”

Local mental health professionals say thoughts of suicide are happening at younger ages.

 

[LunaInvidia]

I think I was around ten or eleven the first time I attempted suicide, and looking back on it, it probably was from the onset of hormones. (now, much later in life, I've been diagnosed with PMDD, which has lessened, but not gone away entirely, with a combination of birth control and antidepressants. I'm not actively suicidal the week before my period any more, at least!) I took a bunch of- probably ibuprofen, some kind of over the counter painkiller, when I was home alone. Nothing.... happened as far as I recall? I may have thrown up. I do remember later realizing the bottle was very expired, it was from my grandma's medicine closet, which may have contributed.

Point is.... obviously, due diligence should be done, but I just want to add another voice pointing out that we absolutely must consider the mental health of children even if we think they are too young to entertain such thoughts. And, as someone who has struggled with suicidal ideation, depression, etc, for years and years- suicide sometimes is impulsive like that, especially to a child. Every time I've attempted suicide or called a suicide hotline because I wanted to die, it wasn't something I had planned extensively. It just.... happened. A handful of pills as a little girl. Walking across a bridge on the way to work. Trying to drown myself on vacation, with airline tickets home for just two days later. On lunch break at work, and then I wiped my face and I fixed my makeup and I went right back in to do my work, and no one even noticed a thing. Don't think "oh, she's too young," or "oh, they're too cheerful and upbeat," or "oh, he has plans for later", because if this is something that overshadows a person's mind, sometimes it just... feels like too much.

My heart absolutely breaks for her, because I remember what that was like, and I live with the quiet fear that someday it will catch up to me and I will forget for ten minutes that I don't want to die. I can't say I would be SURPRISED if, tomorrow, they release an autopsy stating that foul play had happened, and that she did not write the note, but sometimes the most plausible solution is the easiest. I have never been kidnapped or murdered. I have, however, been a suicidal child. None of the potential autopsy results are good ones. But we cannot pretend the only dangers to the children are the ones lurking in cornfields, and not the ones that lurk in their minds.

 

[Seattle1]

I think I was around ten or eleven the first time I attempted suicide, and looking back on it, it probably was from the onset of hormones. (now, much later in life, I've been diagnosed with PMDD, which has lessened, but not gone away entirely, with a combination of birth control and antidepressants. I'm not actively suicidal the week before my period any more, at least!) I took a bunch of- probably ibuprofen, some kind of over the counter painkiller, when I was home alone. Nothing.... happened as far as I recall? I may have thrown up. I do remember later realizing the bottle was very expired, it was from my grandma's medicine closet, which may have contributed.

Point is.... obviously, due diligence should be done, but I just want to add another voice pointing out that we absolutely must consider the mental health of children even if we think they are too young to entertain such thoughts. And, as someone who has struggled with suicidal ideation, depression, etc, for years and years- suicide sometimes is impulsive like that, especially to a child. Every time I've attempted suicide or called a suicide hotline because I wanted to die, it wasn't something I had planned extensively. It just.... happened. A handful of pills as a little girl. Walking across a bridge on the way to work. Trying to drown myself on vacation, with airline tickets home for just two days later. On lunch break at work, and then I wiped my face and I fixed my makeup and I went right back in to do my work, and no one even noticed a thing. Don't think "oh, she's too young," or "oh, they're too cheerful and upbeat," or "oh, he has plans for later", because if this is something that overshadows a person's mind, sometimes it just... feels like too much.

My heart absolutely breaks for her, because I remember what that was like, and I live with the quiet fear that someday it will catch up to me and I will forget for ten minutes that I don't want to die. I can't say I would be SURPRISED if, tomorrow, they release an autopsy stating that foul play had happened, and that she did not write the note, but sometimes the most plausible solution is the easiest. I have never been kidnapped or murdered. I have, however, been a suicidal child. None of the potential autopsy results are good ones. But we cannot pretend the only dangers to the children are the ones lurking in cornfields, and not the ones that lurk in their minds.

I think the local news channel 15 running a story tonight with headliner Tragic death of Baraboo 10-year-old spurs talk of youth mental health --Local experts discuss rising statistics of kids and teens, and the somber statement released by the Police Chief, a big hint that the cause of death will be suicide.

It's heartbreaking to read her mom's comment to her daughter being found. She seems to know her daughter was barely holding on and the worst is over for her.

"At least I know where she is and the worst is over for her. I am a mess as you can imagine. I am beyond stressed out thank you to everyone who has reached out."

 

[Eloise]

While it is, of course, everyone's right to question and be cynical (and also, every child death should of course be investigated closely, as I'm sure it will be), I feel that some people might not realise how young mental illness can start and how strong it can be. That's even in loving homes that do what they can to seek treatment. Kids these days are under enormous pressures and then put Covid on top of that.

Apparently schools where I live (southern hemisphere so we have a different school schedule to you guys in America) have been dealing with non-stop anxiety and panic attacks following the return to school. I talked to one school counsellor who said she has been dealing with kid after kid having panic attacks. School refusal is at an all-time high. I stood in the pharmacy the other day waiting for a script and three people came in one after the other all getting SSRIs (I used to work for a pharma company so know drug names pretty well).

It's absolutely a crisis of massive proportions and I'm extremely prepared to lay the blame on social media and the Internet number one. I was also discussing this with early childhood colleagues who have all noticed in the past five years a massive change in sleep patterns in families with under fives. Everyone is having hours of screentime a day and it's changing the way our brains are functioning/our brains can't cope (but obviously evolution is thousands if not millions of years behind computer tech!). Bad sleep exacerbates existing depression/anxiety. Also cyberbullying is a real problem and doesn't even have to be actual bullying, just feeling excluded by not getting enough likes and follows can be deeply upsetting to kids.

I feel like we're on a brink of a genuine disaster for humanity and kids like Kodie are the ones really paying the price. Childhood is such a precious and precarious time and we as adults are failing kids.

Also, all that being said, if you've never suffered depression or suicidal ideation you might not be able to imagine how sometimes all the help in the world can't and won't make the suicidal person see a reason to stay alive.

No matter what it's a tragedy.

 

[mpnola]

No matter what, 2 things will remain constant---- 1. My heart breaks for Kodie and those who love her and 2. Mental health has to become a priority.

Side note.... i fully believe that all the chemical meds they give us for every tiny thing really mess with us, too. We have to focus on true mental health instead of only pharmaceutical fixes that this nation has become. If mental health was taken seriously, we would have services available. Instead, there is the hospital and jail. Thats about it.

 

[ChatteringBirds]

While it is, of course, everyone's right to question and be cynical (and also, every child death should of course be investigated closely, as I'm sure it will be), I feel that some people might not realise how young mental illness can start and how strong it can be. That's even in loving homes that do what they can to seek treatment. Kids these days are under enormous pressures and then put Covid on top of that.

Apparently schools where I live (southern hemisphere so we have a different school schedule to you guys in America) have been dealing with non-stop anxiety and panic attacks following the return to school. I talked to one school counsellor who said she has been dealing with kid after kid having panic attacks. School refusal is at an all-time high. I stood in the pharmacy the other day waiting for a script and three people came in one after the other all getting SSRIs (I used to work for a pharma company so know drug names pretty well).

It's absolutely a crisis of massive proportions and I'm extremely prepared to lay the blame on social media and the Internet number one. I was also discussing this with early childhood colleagues who have all noticed in the past five years a massive change in sleep patterns in families with under fives. Everyone is having hours of screentime a day and it's changing the way our brains are functioning/our brains can't cope (but obviously evolution is thousands if not millions of years behind computer tech!). Bad sleep exacerbates existing depression/anxiety. Also cyberbullying is a real problem and doesn't even have to be actual bullying, just feeling excluded by not getting enough likes and follows can be deeply upsetting to kids.

I feel like we're on a brink of a genuine disaster for humanity and kids like Kodie are the ones really paying the price. Childhood is such a precious and precarious time and we as adults are failing kids.

Also, all that being said, if you've never suffered depression or suicidal ideation you might not be able to imagine how sometimes all the help in the world can't and won't make the suicidal person see a reason to stay alive.

No matter what it's a tragedy.

Great post.
The thought of multiple children having panic attacks at school is heartbreaking, though.

 

[vlpate]

Kodie's Obituary

No mention of her father. I'm sure this is typical today, but still feels odd to me.

RIP beautiful girl.

 

[Tippy Lynn]

I need more facts, because I’m not signing up to the current narrative. Waiting to hear more.

amateur opinion and speculation

I’m not signing up to the current narrative either. My hinky meter is going back and forth. I’ve followed too many cases to jump on board without more info.

 

[Cottonstar]

I think I was around ten or eleven the first time I attempted suicide, and looking back on it, it probably was from the onset of hormones. (now, much later in life, I've been diagnosed with PMDD, which has lessened, but not gone away entirely, with a combination of birth control and antidepressants. I'm not actively suicidal the week before my period any more, at least!) I took a bunch of- probably ibuprofen, some kind of over the counter painkiller, when I was home alone. Nothing.... happened as far as I recall? I may have thrown up. I do remember later realizing the bottle was very expired, it was from my grandma's medicine closet, which may have contributed.

Point is.... obviously, due diligence should be done, but I just want to add another voice pointing out that we absolutely must consider the mental health of children even if we think they are too young to entertain such thoughts. And, as someone who has struggled with suicidal ideation, depression, etc, for years and years- suicide sometimes is impulsive like that, especially to a child. Every time I've attempted suicide or called a suicide hotline because I wanted to die, it wasn't something I had planned extensively. It just.... happened. A handful of pills as a little girl. Walking across a bridge on the way to work. Trying to drown myself on vacation, with airline tickets home for just two days later. On lunch break at work, and then I wiped my face and I fixed my makeup and I went right back in to do my work, and no one even noticed a thing. Don't think "oh, she's too young," or "oh, they're too cheerful and upbeat," or "oh, he has plans for later", because if this is something that overshadows a person's mind, sometimes it just... feels like too much.

My heart absolutely breaks for her, because I remember what that was like, and I live with the quiet fear that someday it will catch up to me and I will forget for ten minutes that I don't want to die. I can't say I would be SURPRISED if, tomorrow, they release an autopsy stating that foul play had happened, and that she did not write the note, but sometimes the most plausible solution is the easiest. I have never been kidnapped or murdered. I have, however, been a suicidal child. None of the potential autopsy results are good ones. But we cannot pretend the only dangers to the children are the ones lurking in cornfields, and not the ones that lurk in their minds.

Or in their own homes.

 

[GinaSeikwa]

The timeline between being super excited about a next day family camping trip and death is so tight that it does give me pause.
It’s always a bit suss IMO when something happens to a child the day before they are expected to be present at a big family gathering.
I wonder when the last time someone saw sweet Kodie besides mom. RIP darling

 

[Tippy Lynn]

Kodie's Obituary

No mention of her father. I'm sure this is typical today, but still feels odd to me.

RIP beautiful girl.

I see the moms boyfriend of a few months is mentioned.