A 13-year-old girl from Michigan, United States, died by suicide after she was allegedly raped during a spin the bottle game at a party. Her heartbroken parents shared the tragic story.
Mylah Thelen's father discovered her dead in her bedroom at the family's home in Portland on the morning of March 29, just two weeks after she turned 13.
About a month earlier, Mylah confided in her parents that she had been sexually assaulted by an 18-year-old man named Blake Kozan, according to her mother and father, Amy and Robert Thelen.
The teen told her parents that the alleged incident occurred on February 21, when a sleepover with a friend turned into them going to another local home and playing the party game. Mylah, then 12, said that Kozan allegedly raped her. She expressed that she did not want to participate but did not know how to stop it.
Kozan was charged with one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct on Monday, according to court records.
After learning of the alleged assault, Mylah's parents immediately took her to the hospital and arranged an interview at the Montcalm Child Advocacy Center in Ionia County, a nonprofit that provides a safe place for abuse victims.
The couple worked together to support their daughter by constantly reassuring her that what happened was not her fault. However, their daughter continued to struggle, and her parents were not fully aware of what she was going through. Mylah's mother said she believes her daughter lied about everyone at school knowing about the incident and bullying her, because it was easier to hide it than to deal with it.
The grieving father said his daughter left a note for him and her mother but did not disclose its contents. He also noted that the night before Mylah took her life, the family had a wonderful time together. They do not know what triggered that moment, as they were having the time of their lives and talking about their future.
When confronted about the alleged crime, Kozan told local media that he had a sexual interaction with Mylah but claimed he was unaware of her age. According to reports, Kozan met Mylah through his friend's sister, who is in middle school.
Kozan also appeared to admit to the alleged crime in a since-deleted social media post, stating that he knew what he did was wrong and was owning up to it, inviting others to come after him.
Mylah is remembered for her love of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which she started at age nine after being bullied. She thrived in the sport and later took up wrestling. Her mother described her as bright, energetic, and fearless.
Mylah was also creative, enjoying activities like painting, sewing, and knitting. Her obituary noted her special love for Taco Bell runs and trips to the local convenience store, always hoping for an energy drink. She was described as a wild child with a big heart.
Through their grief, Mylah's parents have vowed to help protect other children struggling with mental health issues and bullying. They also want to change the stigma around sexual assault so that others feel able to reach out. They believe there is a bigger purpose behind their daughter's sacrifice: to protect these kids.
Kozan is due in court on June 8 and again on June 15, according to court records. His public defender, Walter Downes, stated that his client will not be providing any comments to the media on this case.
