Create new account | My Profile | My Account | My Bookmarks | My Inbox | Help | Log in

Google search

Advanced search

HomeLatest ThreadsGreatest ThreadsForums & GroupsMy SubscriptionsMy Posts
DU Home » Latest Threads » Forums & Groups » Main » General Discussion (Forum) » 4 Students Charged After ...

Mon Feb 20, 2023, 05:14 AM

Star Member Celerity (35,541 posts)

4 Students Charged After N.J. High School Student Dies by Suicide Days After They Allegedly Beat Her

Adriana Kuch, 14, died by suicide two days after she was allegedly beaten in her high school hallway, police say

https://people.com/crime/4-students-charged-nj-student-suicide-after-allegedly-being-beaten-hallway/



Four New Jersey high school students have been charged in connection with the death of a 14-year-old classmate who killed herself days after they allegedly attacked her in the school hallway, recorded the incident and shared the video on social media, multiple outlets report.

According to the Associated Press, citing prosecutors, one juvenile has been charged with aggravated assault, two have been charged with conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, and another has been charged with harassment after their classmate, Adriana Kuch, died by suicide two days after they allegedly bullied and beat her at Central Regional High School in Bayville, N.J.

Citing Adriana's father, Michael Kuch, CNN reports the victim was found dead in her home on Feb. 3. Since then, the teen suspects and their guardians have been "served with copies of their complaints" and have been released from police custody "pending future court appearances," Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said, according to NBC News.

According to the outlet, Kuch said prior to his daughter's death, a video circulated on social media platforms, including TikTok, allegedly showing her walking with her boyfriend in the school's hallway when she was brutally attacked with a water bottle.

snip

18 replies, 2126 views

Thread infoBookmark this threadTrash this thread

Reply to this thread

Back to top Alert abuse

Always highlight: 10 newest replies | Replies posted after I mark a forum
Replies to this discussion thread
Arrow 18 replies Author Time Post
Reply 4 Students Charged After N.J. High School Student Dies by Suicide Days After They Allegedly Beat Her (Original post)
 Celerity Feb 20 OP
LineReply More than 20 years ago, I knew a young man, a senior in HS in upper Passaic County.
 no_hypocrisy Feb 20 #1
LineReply Who are these people who raise bullies? Who are these teens who become bullies?
 Samrob Feb 20 #2
LineLineReply What is happening?! It has been happening for forever
 obamanut2012 Feb 20 #3
LineLineLineReply Respectfully, I believe it is so much worse, especially with the advent of social media
 Joinfortmill Feb 20 #5
LineLineLineLineReply It is worse. A Pew Research study showed 55% of teens believe bullying is a major problem.
 Lonestarblue Feb 20 #8
LineLineLineLineLineNew Reply Its basically the same as it always has been
 Cosmocat Feb 20 #13
LineLineLineLineLineLineNew Reply There wasn't video of the events that happened to you circulating which kept the focus on you.
 MrsCoffee Feb 20 #14
LineLineLineLineLineLineLineNew Reply Same process, different time
 Cosmocat Feb 20 #15
LineLineLineNew Reply It has been going on forever, but it isn't better
 Cosmocat Feb 20 #11
LineLineReply Back in the day, parents believed the teachers. Now, parents side with the kids if they're a problem
 Rhiannon12866 Feb 20 #4
LineLineLineNew Reply This is a big part of it
 Cosmocat Feb 20 #12
LineReply This has gotten world wide attention
 FelineOverlord Feb 20 #6
LineLineReply Superintendent salaries are an obscenity
 bucolic_frolic Feb 20 #7
LineLineNew Reply Family needs to sue this fucker into bankruptcy
 vercetti2021 Feb 20 #9
LineLineLineNew Reply Probably has qualified immunity and can't be sued personally
MichMan Feb 20 #16
LineLineNew Reply So he basically joined the bullies, even after she was dead. Appalling. nt
 crickets Feb 20 #18
LineNew Reply I remember when I was bullied in middle school
 vercetti2021 Feb 20 #10
LineLineNew Reply I went to a private school in the 80s
 Johnny2X2X Feb 20 #17

Response to Celerity (Original post)

Mon Feb 20, 2023, 06:24 AM

Star Member no_hypocrisy (42,164 posts)

1. More than 20 years ago, I knew a young man, a senior in HS in upper Passaic County.

He was not only bullied but physically attacked by another boy in the hallways. He was hit on the back of his head and fell to the ground. Why: the bully's girlfriend was attracted to the victim. The victim was not encouraging this attention.

The parents of the victim went to the principal, the school administration. All they got were apologist responses: the bully had been having a "rough time" in school for many years, family troubles, etc. And they wouldn't suspend the kid.

Upon my urging, the victim's parents went to the prosecutor and pressed charges, such as aggravated assault, harassment, threatening, etc. On the day of the court hearing, the bully approached the victim and told him (not asked him) they were going to settle this thing -- alone. The victim's father heard it and nixed the plan. The victim was so intimidated that he was ready to go with him and drop the charges. But for his father, he allowed the hearing to go forward.

Consequences: The bully was convicted on criminal charges and was later convicted for assaulting another person. The last we heard, he's still in jail.

I hope the court for the girl bullies face jail time. This is not a re-boot of Mean Girls.

Reply to this post

Back to top Alert abuse Link here Permalink

Response to Celerity (Original post)

Mon Feb 20, 2023, 06:39 AM

Star Member Samrob (4,167 posts)

2. Who are these people who raise bullies? Who are these teens who become bullies?

What is happening to our culture, our society, our families? It seems so silly to most parents now to teach manners, respect, and kindness. These things used to be taught AT HOME and IN SCHOOL. Try teaching anything like that now and you will be accused of teaching "wokeness" lose your job as a teacher or be kicked of the school board.

As a consequence, we are losing more and more of our DECENT children to gun violence, suicide, and drugs.

I feel so helpless and worry continually about my own grandchildren who are taught these decent social behaviors at home but face ridicule when they practice at school what they have been taught at home. They are suffering from depression from trying to be kind and I worry about their safety daily.

Reply to this post

Back to top Alert abuse Link here Permalink

Response to Samrob (Reply #2)

Mon Feb 20, 2023, 06:47 AM

Star Member obamanut2012 (23,837 posts)

3. What is happening?! It has been happening for forever

And is actually better now than before.

Reply to this post

Back to top Alert abuse Link here Permalink

Response to obamanut2012 (Reply #3)

Mon Feb 20, 2023, 07:08 AM

Star Member Joinfortmill (10,686 posts)

5. Respectfully, I believe it is so much worse, especially with the advent of social media

Reply to this post

Back to top Alert abuse Link here Permalink

Response to Joinfortmill (Reply #5)

Mon Feb 20, 2023, 08:04 AM

Star Member Lonestarblue (7,368 posts)

8. It is worse. A Pew Research study showed 55% of teens believe bullying is a major problem.

Another 35% see it as a minor problem. That 90% of teens see bullying as a problem means it is a problem. Interesting read. https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2019/02/20/most-u-s-teens-see-anxiety-and-depression-as-a-major-problem-among-their-peers/

We’ve all commented here about the “Karens” and the MAGATs believing they have the right to call police on black people just for being in public. Imagine the attitudes of the kids they’re raising. Four+ years of the most public bully in the world as a role model for kids didn’t help. Nor does social media.

In the UK, teachers are now trying to address the damage caused by Andrew Tate and his videos popular with teen boys who have bought into his misogyny and his attitude that men have a right to rape women. He and his brother are in custody for rape, but his videos are available online. I’m sure kids here see those same videos. We have a very sick society, and kids are paying the price.

From a NYT article:

“Neither the arrests nor the social media bans have stopped Mr. Tate’s messaging from proliferating among young people, and his videos remain available online. Mr. Tate has said that women “belong” to men, should stay at home and need men’s direction. He has portrayed men as victims of feminism and false rape accusations, belittled men who do not adhere to his ways and promoted dubious get-rich schemes.”

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/19/world/europe/andrew-tate-uk-teachers.html?unlocked_article_code=AXdvYdfIh0WBbCMgYDkMtk57-10wqCAOZTP3LN0LVVV-Oiq2APs7PJIIeAVZkZDie-bx2csq5_uP1uazssQLgO849xitebhIp2mfaIath1RtNff_MxB35PXKCrW22lGEAzl65a-4vOwnIGuruCWMaO9J-aqhPyxuItpzUSuKpALXR1PlsefuPxSB8XQQN0du4dEX4Q10XHdR7hUgPAYuTAoNoWUA3hw7fQzr7MzOssMuZkBRI1rcs5QSapcOsZeYkwJv1HtKsF2_FYkkf0Z4JDTwpTVl4gbYvjjD2DExJddRZDZo0A59JZ-cvoAbJjXxPa7O33ONORrp4Wh6yUGwrzi2fuu9aQ&smid=url-share

Reply to this post

Back to top Alert abuse Link here Permalink

Response to Lonestarblue (Reply #8)

Mon Feb 20, 2023, 08:51 AM

Cosmocat (14,312 posts)

13. Its basically the same as it always has been

people just did not view things as bullying in the past that they do now.

I am not writting that to say it wasn't, just that there was more of a suck it up and be tough mentality in the past.

There has always been the kids who are decent and kind and just want to mind their own business and the kids who are predators.

I was overweight in school and it was like the mean kids and bullies had a preschool meeting to deterimine which kids were going to get it that day.

It was sad and I did not like it, but when they were focused on other kids, I was relieved and just kept my head down which they did when it was my turn ...


Reply to this post

Back to top Alert abuse Link here Permalink

Response to Cosmocat (Reply #13)

Mon Feb 20, 2023, 08:57 AM

Star Member MrsCoffee (5,590 posts)

14. There wasn't video of the events that happened to you circulating which kept the focus on you.

Things are not the same, no matter how much we think they are.

Reply to this post

Back to top Alert abuse Link here Permalink

Response to MrsCoffee (Reply #14)

Mon Feb 20, 2023, 09:15 AM

Cosmocat (14,312 posts)

15. Same process, different time

yes, there is video and social media today, but there was a LOT more that never was reported or was covered up back then, again, because it was normalized.

I mean, paddling was an accepted disciplinary measure when I was a kid, and it was acceptable for teachers to grab us and put against the wall.

Not all admins and teachers, of course, but there was less focus and inclination to deal with bullying, so bullying was more normalized and a lot more just was never even dealt with.

Again, I lived through it, and I am seeing a repeat of it in a different time.

The kids who are kind and come from families that live and model acceptance and kindness and those kids who come from troubled families or the self entitled families that bully kids who are "different" or vulnerable.

Same process, different time and variables on it ...





Reply to this post

Back to top Alert abuse Link here Permalink

Response to obamanut2012 (Reply #3)

Mon Feb 20, 2023, 08:43 AM

Cosmocat (14,312 posts)

11. It has been going on forever, but it isn't better

I think it is about the same.

99% of the time it comes home.

Parents either are bullies themselves, model behavior that translates to bullying by their children, and/or enable their children to be bullies.

Those of us who have kids who are naturally decent and kind and have raised them to be like that are in the line of fire.



Reply to this post

Back to top Alert abuse Link here Permalink

Response to Samrob (Reply #2)

Mon Feb 20, 2023, 06:55 AM

Star Member Rhiannon12866 (175,523 posts)

4. Back in the day, parents believed the teachers. Now, parents side with the kids if they're a problem

When I was in college, everybody aspired to be teachers and many ended up substituting. These days, with school shootings, Covid lockdowns, banned classic books and school bullying, teachers are retiring early (my friend did) and it's become a dangerous job. And it's sad since a great teacher can have a profound effect on their students. I remember every single one of mine.

Reply to this post

Back to top Alert abuse Link here Permalink

Response to Rhiannon12866 (Reply #4)

Mon Feb 20, 2023, 08:45 AM

Cosmocat (14,312 posts)

12. This is a big part of it

And, the way things are now, school staff are scared of parents, and those parents they are scared of are almost always the parents of bullies. So, they are less likely to clamp down on them AND more likely to hold the more decent kids equally responsible when they are mostly the victims.

Its a mess.

Reply to this post

Back to top Alert abuse Link here Permalink

Response to Celerity (Original post)

Mon Feb 20, 2023, 07:19 AM

FelineOverlord (3,080 posts)

6. This has gotten world wide attention

Because the school superintendent BLAMED the family for the school’s suicide after the school did absolutely nothing.

He blabbed personal details about the girl and her family to The Daily Mail!

He also bullied students who staged a walkout.

The superintendent RESIGNED after public outrage.





Reply to this post

Back to top Alert abuse Link here Permalink

Response to FelineOverlord (Reply #6)

Mon Feb 20, 2023, 07:33 AM

bucolic_frolic (36,137 posts)

7. Superintendent salaries are an obscenity

Reply to this post

Back to top Alert abuse Link here Permalink

Response to FelineOverlord (Reply #6)

Mon Feb 20, 2023, 08:07 AM

Star Member vercetti2021 (8,889 posts)

9. Family needs to sue this fucker into bankruptcy

Fucking pig of a human

Reply to this post

Back to top Alert abuse Link here Permalink

Response to vercetti2021 (Reply #9)

Mon Feb 20, 2023, 04:46 PM

MichMan (9,029 posts)

16. Probably has qualified immunity and can't be sued personally

Reply to this post

Back to top Alert abuse Link here Permalink

Response to FelineOverlord (Reply #6)

Mon Feb 20, 2023, 06:47 PM

Star Member crickets (24,624 posts)

18. So he basically joined the bullies, even after she was dead. Appalling. nt

Reply to this post

Back to top Alert abuse Link here Permalink

Response to Celerity (Original post)

Mon Feb 20, 2023, 08:10 AM

Star Member vercetti2021 (8,889 posts)

10. I remember when I was bullied in middle school

It course was a "Christian" academy. It was far worse than public school. I got picked on for my weight because I was a heavy kid back then. I finally had enough and snapped on one of the kids and slammed the fuckers head into a locker. Course they threatened to use corporal punishment on me and my mom went up there to raise hell about them doing nothing about the bullying and that if they touched me or hurt me as a punishment, she would sue to school. But it wasn't long before she pulled me out and just homeschooled me.

School is shit because schools are huge fucking (word I will not use here) and are afraid of taking action.

Reply to this post

Back to top Alert abuse Link here Permalink

Response to vercetti2021 (Reply #10)

Mon Feb 20, 2023, 04:57 PM

Johnny2X2X (15,812 posts)

17. I went to a private school in the 80s

Catholic school. Bullying was rampant.

Saw bullying, and I was bullied too. The aspect that is lost sometimes is how humiliating it is to be bullied, you just want to crawl in a hole and deny it even happened. Had a kid who tried to bully me, picked a fight with me after school, but I walked away, other students saw and reported it to the school, it was like this kid's 10th strike and he got expelled. So he blamed me for his expulsion. Started calling the house and threatening whoever answered. My parents remained clueless, I never told them of the incident and told them it was just prank calls, nothing was going on. The last people you want to know that you're being bullied are your parents.

Dude found me at a party a few years later and challenged me to a fight again, I kind of was running with a bad crowd then and had several guys in my corner ready to jump him, I just told him that, "if you want to fight, sure, but if we start fighting, I'm not stopping until one of us needs an ambulance or is dead." That made him reconsider.

The schools are culpable, but they also need more tools to deal with bullying and to be able to handle bullying discreetly enough to protect the victims from feeling more shame.

Reply to this post

Back to top Alert abuse Link here Permalink

Reply to this thread

General Discussion (Forum)
DU Home | Latest Threads | Greatest Threads | Forums & Groups | My Subscriptions | My Posts

About | Copyright | Privacy | Terms of service | Contact

In Memoriam

© 2001 - 2023 Democratic Underground, LLC. Thank you for visiting.