A shocking video of a group of teenage girls assaulting Adriana Kuch, a 14-year-old student at Central Regional High School, circulated online. Two days later, Kuch was found dead at her home in Bayville.
The footage showed the girls throwing a drink at Kuch, kicking and dragging her down the hallways, pushing her into lockers, and repeatedly punching her while one of the attackers filmed the scene.
Two adults eventually broke up the fight, but Kuch was left injured and bruised on the hallway floor. Her father stated that police should have been called as the students had smashed her face with a bottle.
Dr. Triantafillos Parlapanides, superintendent of schools, explained that the school had suspended four students and notified Kuch’s family, stating that they called her death “horrible.” However, Kuch’s father believes that his daughter’s injuries warranted a hospital visit, and the police should have been involved to prevent the video’s release.
Following Kuch’s death, Dr. Triantafillos Parlapanides resigned, and the Central Regional School District Board of Education contacted the Department of Education to undergo an independent assessment of their anti-bullying policies. Each teenager involved in the assault was served with a complaint and released pending future court appearances.
Students at the school organized a walkout in support of Kuch’s family. Kuch’s father expressed his anger at the attack and called for everyone to see the video of what the teenagers did to his daughter, remembering her as a happy and well-loved child.