Girl, 13, dies by suicide shortly after spin the bottle game at party ended with ‘her being raped by man, 18’… now a suspect has been charged
A 13-year-old Michigan girl died by suicide after allegedly being raped during a game of spin the bottle at a party, her heartbroken parents said.
Mylah Thelen’s father found her dead in her bedroom at the family’s Portland home on the morning of March 29, just two weeks after Mylah Thelen turned 13.
Her parents, Amy and Robert Thelen, said Mylah confessed to her family about a month ago that she had been sexually assaulted by an 18-year-old man named Blake Kozan. Target 8.
The teenager told his parents that the alleged incident occurred on February 21, when a sleepover with a friend turned into going to another local house and playing a party game.
Mylah, who was 12 at the time, told her parents at the time that Kozan allegedly raped her, her father said.
‘He said he didn’t want to do it but didn’t know how to stop it,’ Thelen recalled.
Kozan was charged with one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct on Monday, according to court records reviewed by the Daily Mail.
After Mylah’s parents heard about their daughter’s alleged experience, they immediately took their daughter to the hospital and had her interviewed at the Montcalm Child Advocacy Center in Ionia County, a nonprofit organization that provides a safe place for victims of abuse.
13-year-old Mylah Thelen died by suicide at her home in Portland, Michigan, on March 29. Her family claimed that she was raped by an 18-year-old man about a month ago
The teenager told his parents (pictured together) that the alleged incident occurred on February 21 after a sleepover with a friend turned into going to another local house and playing a party game.
The husband and wife then worked together to support their daughter by constantly reassuring her that what had happened to her was not her fault.
But their daughter continued to have a hard time, and her family wasn’t fully aware of what she was really going through.
‘I think you lied to me about everyone’ [at school] “He knew about the incident and bullied her about it because it was easier to hide it than to deal with it,” Thelen told the publication.
The grieving father said that his daughter left a note for him and her mother, but did not specify what was written in the note.
Thelen also said he and his family “had the time of our lives” the night before Mylah took her life.
‘We don’t know what triggered that moment for him because the night before we were having the time of our lives and talking about our future,’ he said.
When confronted about the alleged crime, Kozan told local media that he had sexual intercourse with Mylah, but claimed that he did not know how old Mylah was.
According to Target 8, Kozan met Mylah through his friend’s sister, who was studying in middle school.
Mylah named Blake Kozan (pictured) as the man who allegedly sexually assaulted her that night. He has since been charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct
It was also revealed that he admitted to the alleged crime in a TikTok post that has since been deleted: ‘This is for those who want a kick. [my] a** come do this IK (I know) what I did was wrong and I accept it so if you want to come and kill me do this.
‘I will stand still and do nothing about it, I will even give up my position for you.’
Mylah is remembered for her love of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which she started at the age of nine after being bullied.
He became successful in sports and later also took up wrestling.
‘He just had no fear. He was so bright and energetic,” his mother told the outlet.
Mylah was also ‘incredibly creative’ and enjoyed activities such as painting, sewing and knitting. his obituary.
He had a particular love for ‘Taco Bell’ runs and trips to the local C-store, always hoping for an energy drink. “He was a wild kid with a big heart in every sense,” he added.
Through their pain, Mylah’s parents vowed to help protect other children struggling with mental health issues and bullying.
Mylah was 12 years old at the time of the alleged rape. He turned 13 just two weeks before he died
He excelled in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and later took up wrestling as well.
They also want the stigma around sexual assault to change so others feel like they can reach out to them in these situations.
“We know there is a greater purpose behind our daughter’s sacrifice, and that is to protect these children,” Thelen said.
According to court records, Kozan is expected to appear before the judge again on June 8 and June 15.
Kozan’s lawyer, Walter Downes, told the Daily Mail that his client ‘will not be making any comments to the media or our staff regarding this case’.
The Daily Mail contacted the Ionia County Prosecutor for comment.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 provides 24-hour support to people in distress or those around them. Or text HOME to 741741 to connect with a counselor via the Crisis Text Line.
