Celia Costanzo will share the story of her daughter Micki’s 2011 murder at an event sponsored by Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA) next week in Tooele.
16 year old Micaela “Mickie” Costanzo was kidnapped and murdered by fellow West Wendover High School Students Toni Fratto and Kody Patten three years ago next week. In an interview with KUTV Mrs. Costanzo said the killing happened after weeks of verbal attacks by Fratto against Mickie and her other daughter also a student at WWHS.
BACA asked Costanzo to speak at their event on March 7th about bullying, child abuse and domestic violence, all of which Costanzo said her daughter was a victim of.
“Toni would curse at [Micaela’s sister] and call her names outside… Kody was walking the school halls after school waiting for [Micaela] to come out of the locker room,” Costanzo told the Salt Lake TV news show said. “With all that I did and all that we do as parents, there’s still more we can do by making teachers, other students, other adults aware. They can make a difference.”
“The BACA group was present in the search and during her funeral, and they were there for support for us,” Costanzo said. “We need to protect our children.”
BACA asked Costanzo to speak at their event on March 7th about bullying, child abuse and domestic violence, all of which Costanzo said her daughter was a victim of.
“There’s over 1,500 kids a year in the U.S. that die due to abuse and neglect,” said Tyson “Kidd” Hamilton, president of the Western Utah Chapter of BACA. “It’s good for kids to be empowered and come forward.”
Patten who plead guilty to murder to avoid a possible death sentence is serving life without the possibility of parole at the Nevada Maximum security prison in Ely where he now goes by the prison nickname of ‘Big Bird’.
Fratto who received an 18 year to life sentence in a deal for her testimony against Patten is serving her time at the Florence McClure Women’s Correctional Center in rural Clark County.
“As a single mom, I put all those safety precautions in place, and it wasn’t quite enough,” Costanzo said. “If, by telling my story, it brings awareness to someone in a community, or it sounds familiar enough to stop and ask a question, then I’ve helped and Micaela’s helped.”
Costanzo will share her story with BACA at Tooele Applied Technology College on March 7 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Celia you are such a strong woman. Your whole family is amazing, and for you to share Mickie’s story to hopefully change someone else’s life is truly an inspiration. Mickie is such a beautiful girl and is very proud of you.
Celia, while I do not agree with all of your comments in the article, I do respect the fact that you are forging ahead in support of the child abuse/domestic violence issue. It is a problem in today’s society, and definitely deserves the attention. Mia famiglia, vi inviamo il rispetto.
Celia ignore ignorance. None of your comments are out of line.after what you’ve been through you should be able to say, comment anything you would like. You and your family are amazing and are trying to make something good come out of something so evil. An evil doing done by TWO monsters. We love you.