A Miss Teen USA beauty queen and activist opened up about the abuse and neglect she allegedly endured from her stepfather and biological mother before she was tragically killed on Monday.
Kandance Fredericksen used her platform as the Miss Okaloosa County Teen winner to raise awareness for child abuse and help victims through her organization, Kada’s Promise.
During an interview in April, 2024, the Florida teen told local ABC affiliate, WCJB News, that her own experiences with abuse inspired her to help others after she found a safe home.
‘When I was little, I was abused and neglected by my biological mother and stepfather. During those times, the only thing I had to call my own was a stuffed animal I received as a gift years beforehand,’ she told the outlet.
‘Now that I’m in a safe home with a safe family, I learned I wasn’t the only kid that went through that.’
The pair Fredericksen accused have not been identified and further details of the alleged abuse have not been shared.
Fredericksen’s adopted stepmother, Lisa and her biological father, Matthew gained custody of her in 2017. She started Kada’s Promise to provide children who were victims of neglect and abuse with teddy bears and blankets.
She shared during the interview that she spoke at a local city council meeting in Baker to advocate for the observance of April as child abuse prevention month.
Fredericksen also partnered with Miss World Wide International Kirsten Regaldo to send 300 bears to the Philippines.
Kadance Frederickson opened up about 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 pageants, Fredericksen also started her own charity to help children who were victims of abuse
When asked what a teddy bear symbolizes, the teen shared it was a beacon of ‘security, comfort, and hope.’
Fredericksen shared her story on her website, writing, ‘For most of her early years, Kadance struggled with hunger, homelessness, and being groomed by her biological mother’s husband.
‘All of this led Kadance to believe that she was worthless, and unloved. Thankfully, her biological father and stepmother stepped in and gained custody, removing Kadance from what would have been a painful future.’
She added that her stepmother officially adopted her in 2017, ‘completing their home as she joined her older sister and baby brother.’
Fredericksen’s adopted mother, Lisa, told local ABC affiliate, WEAR News, that she was a ‘beacon of light.’
She said that her daughter had ‘the world in the palm of her hand’ and lit up her and her husband’s lives.
Fredericksen was excited to go to college before she was killed, and was already accepted to nine universities.
She had received a $40,000 scholarship and wanted to go to college to pursue her dream of becoming a veterinarian.
Lisa told the publication that the teen loved helping others and Kada’s Promise donated to 15,000 children across four different countries.
Fredericksen sent teddy bears and handwritten notes to children who suffered abuse, neglect, or were living in the foster care system and homeless shelters.
The teen had also recently written a book sharing her story and her mission to help children.
Fredericksen was named Little Miss Northwest Florida and Miss Okaloosa County Teen
Fredericksen was a high school senior and participated in Miss Teen USA pageants
Fredericksen shared on Instagram that she was the recipient of a $40,000 scholarship to college
Fredericksen’s pageant coach Michelle Watts told local CBS affiliate, WKRG News, that the teen’s legacy will live on.
‘She was the light in every room that she was in. But yet she was meek and humble at the same time,’ Watts said.
She added that even though she was Fredericksen’s coach, the teen ended up mentoring her.
‘Even though she passed away at 18 years old, literally, her life story and her life song still sings. She is going to have such a legacy behind her,’ Watts added.
Watts said that Fredericksen’s relationship with her adopted mother was full of unconditional love and support.
‘One of my favorite things that I got to witness about Kadence and her mom, Lisa, was that her mom was able to display the love of Christ to her in every aspect,’ Watts said.
In addition to her philanthropy, Fredericksen had a slew of accolades from pageantry and competed in Miss Teen Florida last year.
Authorities are still investigating the crash that killed her and no arrests have been made yet.
