Four students charged over beating of girl who died by suicide days later
Four students have been charged over an alleged hallway assault on a 14-year-old classmate who died by suicide days later, authorities say.
Adriana Kuch was found dead at her home in Bayville, New Jersey, on 3 February, two days after she was allegedly beaten by a group of students at Central Regional High School in Berkeley Township.
Adriana’s father Michael Kuch wrote in Facebook posts and in interviews that a video of the assault had been posted online to “make fun of her”.
On Friday, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced criminal charges had been brought against four female students at the school.
One was charged with aggravated assault, two others with conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, and a fourth with harassment, Mr Billhimer said.
The students’ names have not been released. They had already been suspended by the school district.
“Each juvenile and their guardian was served with a copy of their complaint and are released pending future court appearances,” Mr Billhimer added.
Mr Kuch is furious at the school’s handling of the assault on his daughter.
He told NBC New York that the school did not notify police even though Adriana was left bloodied and bruised, and blacked out afterwards.
Mr Kuch told the network that one of the girls who assaulted his daughter had been threatening her online for several years, and that he believes the bullying drove his daughter to suicide.
He filed a police complaint on the night of the assault, and told NBC New York that if the school had acted sooner to take down the viral video, his daughter might still be alive.
Now, he wants the video to be viewed widely.
“I want the entire world to know what these animals did to my daughter,” Mr Kuch told NBC New York.
In the 30-second clip, Adriana, a freshman student, is seen walking down a hallway with her boyfriend when a student suddenly starts hitting her in the face with a water bottle.
As she falls to the ground, the student continues to punch her in the head and pull her hair. Cheers can be heard coming from other students.
After about 30 seconds, two school workers intervene. She was treated by the school nurse for the injuries.
Area superintendent Triantafillos Parlapanides said in a statement to NJ.com a decision not to take the assault to the police was in line with school policy.
“The entire district is shaken by the loss of such a young child. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family,” Mr Parlapanides told the news site in a statement.
Mr Kuch later accused the school of lying to him about the severity of the assault.
On Wednesday, more than 200 students staged a walkout from the school to protest its handling of bullying allegations, News 12 New Jersey reported.
According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, youths who report engaging in bullying behaviour and being bullied themselves are at higher risk of suicide.
It added that suicide-related behaviour is “complicated” and is not usually the result of a single source of trauma or stress.
If you are experiencing feelings of distress and isolation, or are struggling to cope, The Samaritans offers support; you can speak to someone for free over the phone, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.
If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The Helpline is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.
