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Family Sues New Jersey School Over Teen's Suicide After Assault Video Goes Viral

Published January 31, 2024
10 months ago

The grieving family of Adriana Kuch, a New Jersey teenager who took her own life after a distressing assault at her high school, which was then magnified by the viral online sharing of the video capturing the incident, has taken legal action against the Central Regional Board of Education and several school administrators. File-stamped by Ocean County's legal system, the lawsuit reveals the family's agonizing quest for retribution and accountability following Adriana's death, which occurred soon after the incident on February 1, 2023.


Legal representatives for Adriana's family have put forth serious accusations against the school's management, claiming they not only neglected their duty to safeguard Adriana but were also notably aware of repeated instances of violence within the institution's walls. This violence, often recorded and shared across social media, contributed to an unhealthy school environment that ultimately led to her untimely demise.


The lawsuit details how the attack unfolded, with two students assaulting Adriana and two others documenting the incident, which was disseminated across the internet. The footage obtained points to a sudden and unprovoked altercation, the viciousness of which became a catalyst for overwhelming public humiliation, irreparably impacting Adriana's mental well-being.


Compounding the emotional distress for Adriana's family is the school's handling of their daughter's tragedy. Not only did the school's leadership, including Triantafillos Parlapanides, the former district superintendent, face heavy scrutiny resulting in his resignation, but their actions post-tragedy also appear to be subjected to legal examination.


Since the filing of the lawsuit, four students faced criminal charges over the attack — a step toward justice that Adriana's father, Michael Kuch, had been yearning for since the loss of what he described as "the light of our lives."


In response to Adriana's suicide, the school district publicly acknowledged the initiation of measures to curb bullying within its perimeters, but it has, however, refrained from commenting directly on the lawsuit due to the ongoing litigation.


This heartbreaking story serves as a stern reminder of the devastating effects of school violence and the consequential reactions when viral on social media, as well as the importance of proactive mental health and anti-bullying measures in educational settings.


The family's lawsuit is seeking an undisclosed sum for damages, arguing negligence, defamation, emotional distress, and calling for punitive damages as well.


As the lawsuit proceeds, the somber anniversary of Adriana's passing is marked by a reinstated call for justice, a sentiment echoing through the halls of Central Regional High School and the wider community. This legal action hopes to not only provide closure to Adriana's family but also ensure that such incidents are prevented from occurring in the future.



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