NIAGARA FALLS – Police believe they know who killed 5-year-old Isabella Tennant, and the coroner has determined how the little girl died.
What puzzles them, and everyone else connected to the case, is why?
Police have said that John R. Freeman, 16, killed Isabella with his bare hands late Sunday or early Monday and then put her body in a trash can in an alley near her great-grandmother’s house. They said Tyler S. Best, 17, helped move her body.
“The cause of death was a mechanical obstruction of the airway and compression of the neck,” said Niagara County Coroner Cindy Lou Joyce.
Joyce was unable to comment on what was used to cause the obstruction and stop the girl from breathing, but she did confirm that it was not considered a “total strangulation.”
Nearly 50 people packed a courtroom Tuesday as Freeman pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and Best to evidence tampering, but acting Niagara County Court Judge Angelo Morinello ordered court officers to clear the room, allowing only immediate family members to stay. Isabella’s parents and grandparents remained in a room outside the courtroom while the two teens were arraigned.
Morinello said both defendants remain eligible for youthful-offender status until they plead guilty or are convicted by a jury, and he made additional efforts to protect their identities and suppress the release of any statements to the public.
Freeman’s attorney, Robert Viola, said in court that he will also seek a competency hearing.
Best will be represented by attorney James J. Faso.
Both attorneys were assigned by the Public Defender’s Office. The case is due back in court Sept. 7.
In the meantime, the motive for the crime is a mystery, according to police.
On Sunday night, Isabella was left in the care of her great-grandmother, Sharon Lascelle, 65, who lives in the 400 block of Sixth Street, while her mother worked overnight. Lascelle told police she went to bed about 11 p.m., leaving the little girl in the care of Freeman, whom she called, “a trusted family friend.” She told police that it was not uncommon for Freeman to be in the home, unsupervised, and around Isabella.
Isabella was reported missing by family at 6:20 a.m. Monday, but the body was not found until Best turned himself in to police and led them to the body just after 9 a.m.
Police found Isabella’s body under a garbage bag, in a garbage can in an alley in the 500 block between Third and Fourth streets. There were no signs of sexual abuse, and she was found fully clothed.
Best’s mother, Kelly Best, said she went with her son to the Police Department when he told her what had happened.
“I know it was wrong, but he’s a good kid. He just made some wrong choices and got in with the wrong people,” Best said.
She said her son lived in Buffalo but often stayed in Niagara Falls with Freeman.
Christopher DiDonna of Niagara Falls was at court Tuesday. He said Freeman was one of his cadets in the city’s Junior Military Academy when he was 14.
DiDonna said the group was designed to keep kids out of trouble and to teach them to take responsibility for their actions.
“I’m shocked. I’m heartbroken that one of my cadets would do this after learning all he did in the cadet program,” DiDonna said. “He was a squad leader. He never had any violent tendencies. I had great hopes for his future.”
Isabella, who would have entered kindergarten next week, was remembered by hundreds in a candlelight ceremony at Sal Maglie Stadium on Monday night.
A fund has been established at First Niagara Bank called “The Isabella Tennant Memorial Fund,” approved by Isabella’s family, to defray her funeral expenses. Anyone wishing to donate can go to any First Niagara Branch.
In a statement issued to the media, her father, Michael Tennant, said: “Isabella was loved deeply by her daddy, Mike, and his fiancée, Maria. Isabella enjoyed spending time with her cousins and family. Anybody who knew Isabella always saw her warm, beautiful smile. The Tennant family appreciates your thoughts and prayers at this time of grieving.”
Isabella’s prekindergarten teacher, Allison Brackiowski, remembered her online in the Buffalo News, writing: “She was the sweetest. Very loving and such a happy child. As soon as she walked off the bus she was always smiling and could make everybody’s day. I hope these two boys are held accountable for the unthinkable act of violence they have done. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. She will be greatly missed.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report. email: nfischer@buffnews.com