A Miss Teen USA Beauty Queen and activist opened up about the abuse and neglect she is said to have endured from her stepfather and biological mother before she was tragically murdered on Monday.
Kandance Fredericksen used her platform as the teenage winner of Miss Okaloosa County to increase awareness for child abuse and to help victims through her organization, Kada's promise.
During an interview in April 2024, the Florida -Tiener the local ABC branch, WCJB News, told her own experiences with abuse to help others after she found a safe house.
'When I was small, I was abused and neglected by my biological mother and stepfather. At that time, the only thing I had to call mine was a hug animal that I received as a gift years in advance, “she told the outlet.
“Now that I am in a safe house with a safe family, I heard that I was not the only child who went through it.”
The couple that Fredericksen accused is not identified and further details of the alleged abuse are not shared.
Fredericksen's adopted stepmother, Lisa and her biological father, Matthew received custody of her in 2017. She started Kada's promise to offer children who were victims of neglect and abuse with teddy bears and blankets.
During the interview she spoke, she shared during a local municipal meeting in Baker to argue for compliance with April as the prevention month of child abuse.
Fredericksen also worked with Miss World Wide International Kirsten Regaldo to send 300 bears to the Philippines.
Kadance Frederickson opened her experience with abuse in an interview last year
Fredericksen wrote a book called Kada's promise about her experience and her mission to help children
In addition to competing in beauty competitions, Fredericksen also started her own charity to help children who were victims of abuse
When asked what a teddy bear symbolizes, the teenager shared that it was a beacon of 'security, comfort and hope'.
Fredericksen shared her story on her website and wrote: 'Most of her early years struggled with hunger, homelessness and provided by the husband of her biological mother.
'All this led the Kadance to believe that she was worthless and unloved. Fortunately, her biological father and stepmother came in and received custody and removed the Kadance from what would have been a painful future. '
She added that her stepmother officially adopted her in 2017, “completed their house as she joined her older sister and baby brother.”
The adopted mother of Fredericksen, Lisa, told the local ABC branch, Wear News, that she was a 'beacon of light'.
She said that her daughter “had the world in the palm of her hand” and enlightened the life of her and her husband.
Fredericksen was excited to go to university before she was killed and was already accepted for nine universities.
She had received a $ 40,000 grant and wanted to go to the university to follow her dream to become a veterinarian.
Lisa told the publication that the teenager enjoyed helping others and gave Kada's promise to 15,000 children in four different countries.
Fredericksen sent teddy bears and handwritten notes to children who abused, neglected or lived in the foster care system and homeless hiding places.
The teenager had recently also written a book that share her story and her mission to help children.
Fredericksen was called Little Miss Northwest Florida and Miss Okaloosa County Teen
Fredericksen was a senior in high school and participated in Miss Teen USA parades
Fredericksen shared on Instagram that she was the recipient of a $ 40,000 grant at the university
Fredericksen's parade coach Michelle Watts told the local CBS -Affiliate, WKRG News, that the inheritance of the teenager will live.
“She was the light in every room in which she was. But at the same time she was gentle and modest, “said Watts.
She added that although she was Fredericksen's coach, the teenager eventually accompanied her.
'Even though she died at the age of 18, literally, her life story and her song of life still sings. She is going to have such an inheritance behind her, “added Watts.
Watts said that Fredericksen's relationship with her adopted mother was full of unconditional love and support.
“One of my favorite things I had to see about Kadence and her mother, Lisa, was that her mother could show her love of Christ in every aspect,” Watts said.
In addition to her philanthropy, Fredericksen had a whole series of praises from Penterry and participated in Miss Teen Florida last year.
Authorities are still investigating the crash that killed her and no arrests have been made yet.
