13-Year-Old Teenager Commits Suicide Just Days After Father Shares Public Shaming Video

A young 13-year-old girl in Tacoma, Washington in Tacoma, Washington died by suicide after her father shared a video on Instagram publicly shaming the teen. Izabel Laxamana  jumped off a highway overpass on Friday, May 29 days after her father Jeff had reportedly punished her by cutting off her hair and posting the video online. 

The original 15-second video is still online and we at 2BlkGrls have chosen not to upload the video to our site. On the video clip the voice of Izabel Laxamana  and her father can be heard:

13-Year Old, Izabel Laxamana

“The consequences of getting messed up, man, you lost all that beautiful hair,” a male voice can be heard saying from behind the camera. The video pans to the ground, where long locks of black hair are scattered on the ground. “Was it worth it?”

“No,” she responds quietly.

“How many times did I warn you?” he asks.

“A lot,” she replies, barely audibly.

Controversy has erupted on what led to this young girl's suicide. 

Let's Get The Conversation Started: Is it okay to publicly shame your children online? Should Publicly Shaming be looked at as child abuse? Is there an imaginary line that should de drawn between what is appropriate punishment and deterrence in parenting you children?

If You Or Someone You Know Is In Crises or Suicidal Please Contact: 

1 (800) 273-8255
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week
Languages: English, Spanish
Website: www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

---

Written By: Lauren B. I @laurenbeal