By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Writer
In a tragic example of the devastation wreaked on the innocent by the breakdown of the family, a 15 year-old pregnant teen in foster care, who was being molested by her 36 year–old adopted brother, was shot and killed while waiting at a school bus stop in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Tiffany Wright, an 11th grader at Hawthorne High School was shot in the head and died on Monday morning after being rushed to Carolinas Medical Center. Her baby was delivered hours later and is listed in critical condition.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg police spokesman Bob Fey told the Associated Press that Royce Mitchell, Tiffany’s adopted brother, turned himself in after being served with warrants for statutory rape and indecent liberties with a minor. A police spokesman said Tiffany had been adopted into the Mitchell family, and was the victim of the alleged sex crimes.
Police are still looking into whether Mitchell is the father of Tiffany’s baby and are calling him a “person of interest” in her murder.
Tiffany’s grandmother, Shirley Boston of Buffalo, New York, was shocked and tearful when she learned of her granddaughter’s death late Monday, according to the Charlotte Observer.
Ms. Boston said she spoke with Tiffany two weeks ago and was looking forward to helping care for her great-granddaughter. “I had my other granddaughter text her today (Monday) to say she didn’t need to buy anything for the baby” because the family would take care of it, she said.
Ms. Boston said Tiffany spent several childhood years in Buffalo, where her father also lives. She moved to the Charlotte area and went into foster care after her mother lost custody.
Tiffany is remembered by friends as being upbeat and cheerful.
“She always had a smile on her face,” said Cameron Blakeney, a sophomore who met her at the movies last summer. “She loved to joke.”
Despite the many challenges she faced, friends say Tiffany managed to keep a positive outlook on life.
“She was just a very sweet girl, said Ashelee Barber, who identified herself as the niece of Tiffany’s foster mother. “When people go through tough times, they sometimes develop hateful feelings, but she wasn’t that way.”
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