Adriana Kuch: Bullied teen's family sues school over 'culture of violence' after she killed herself

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers' discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

BAYVILLE, NEW JERSEY: The family of Adriana Kuch, a New Jersey teen who took her own life following relentless bullying, is now taking legal action against the school district.

The 14-year-old tragically died by hanging on February 2, 2023, after being brutally assaulted by a group of girls in a Central Regional High School hallway, an incident filmed and shared on social media.

This allegedly led Adriana to take her own life two days later inside her bedroom.

School tries to cover bullying by shifting blame on Adriana Kuch's family

Just days after the incident, the then Central Regional School District Superintendent, Triantafillos Parlapanides, made controversial statements linking Adriana's struggles to her father's alleged affair.

Disputing these claims as defamatory, Adriana's father and stepmother, Michael and Sarah Kuch, are filing a lawsuit against the school district and administrators for their perceived failure to prevent their daughter's untimely death.

The legal action follows charges against four youths in connection to Adriana's death, three facing third-degree felony assault charges, and another charged with disorderly conduct, with one of the girls additionally facing a conspiracy charge for aggravated assault, as per Daily Mail.

The lawsuit names several school administrators, including Principal Irene Marousis, Assistant Principals Darryl Heale and Angelo Mazzuca, Anti-Bullying Coordinator Thomas Gallahue, and Anti-Bullying Specialist Jennifer Mullins. The family alleges that these administrators allowed a culture of harassment and bullying to persist, violating school policies regarding physical attacks recorded and posted on social media.

Lawsuit accuses school of neglect amid relentless violent bullying

Furthermore, the suit claims that the school officials neglected to appropriately investigate the attack and failed to review the contents of students' cell phones, exacerbating the cyberbullying that ultimately led to Adriana's death. 

“Defendants … knew or should have known that, prior to February 1, 2023, instances of harassment, intimidation, and bullying within the Central Regional School District had created a culture of violence at Central Regional High School,” according to the lawsuit, as per New York Post.

The second aspect of the lawsuit revolves around the statements made by Superintendent Parlapanides, characterized as "cruel, malicious, callous, insensitive," and "entirely false". These remarks, including allegations about Adriana's family history and drug use, form the basis of the family's claims of negligence, invasion of privacy, and defamation.

The family's legal action seeks justice for their daughter, aiming to shed light on the school district's alleged failure to address bullying adequately.

“Mr Kuch is eager for justice for his daughter,” family lawyer William Krais said. “He is eager to get this case started.”

The school district's response to these allegations remains awaited as the family seeks closure and accountability for their daughter's tragic fate.