[ad_1]

Four New Jersey high school students who were filmed attacking Adriana Kuch two days before she killed herself will be tried as juveniles, officials have confirmed. 

Kuch, 14, was found dead at home on February 3 just two days after being beaten by her schoolmates in violent videos posted online.

But the bullies will escape facing adult court as New Jersey county prosecutor Bradley Billhimer confirmed to Dailymail.com they were being charged as juveniles. 

Billhimer also revealed he had been in regular contact with Central Regional School, in Bayville, which has come under fire for failing to call police after Kuch was left bloodied and bruised in the attack.

One student has since been charged with the aggravated assault of Kuch, two have been charged with conspiracy to commit aggravated assault and a fourth was charged with harassment.

Adraian Kuch, 14, killed herself two days after she was filmed being violently beaten by classmates

Adraian Kuch, 14, killed herself two days after she was filmed being violently beaten by classmates

Superintendent Parlapanides was forced to resign on Saturday after Dailymail.com exposed a smear campaign he had made against the late teenager and her family

Superintendent Parlapanides was forced to resign on Saturday after Dailymail.com exposed a smear campaign he had made against the late teenager and her family

The first three students would be guilty of a third-degree crime if they were tried as adults.

Being found guilty of aggravated assault as an adult in New Jersey warrants punishments of up to ten years in jail and fines as much as $150,000.

However a juvenile convicted of aggravated assault faces only up to three years in a juvenile detention center.

‘The offenses charged herein are juvenile offenses and not subject to waiver to adult criminal court,’ Billhimer said.

See also  Idaho murders: Suspect in CUSTODY for killings of four students, police say

The county prosecutor also revealed he had spoken with the disgraced former superintendent of the school just a day before he was forced to resign.

Dr Trianatafillos Parlapanides sensationally stepped down from his $190,000-a-year role on Saturday after he initiated a smear campaign against Kuch’s family claiming she had been offered counselling for ‘drugs’ and disclosed details of problems in her home life. 

Billhimer said he had a two-hour conversation with students and staff at the school in a private meeting on Thursday.

According to her father Kuch was 'smashed in the face three times with a water bottle' and 'blacked out.' He then had to take his blood covered daughter to the police station to file a report because the school refused to do so

Adriana's bruised legs after the attack. Her father said she was mostly 'humiliated' by the video, which made her feel like she'd been attacked 'twice'

According to her father Kuch was ‘smashed in the face three times with a water bottle’ and ‘blacked out.’ He then had to take his blood covered daughter to the police station to file a report because the school refused to do so

Central Regional High School in Bayville, New Jersey where Adriana is said to have been bullied and attacked

Central Regional High School in Bayville, New Jersey

He then followed up with a second meeting with Parlapanides on Friday morning to ‘discuss ways to improve the district’s response to incidents within the school.’

Following Parlapanides’ resignation, Billhimer said he had reached out to acting superintendent Doug Corbett.

‘I will be working with the Acting Superintendent and school administrators to address the needs of the students as we move forward,’ Billhimer said.    

Billhimer also told Fox News Digital that he had grilled staff about their decision not to call the police after the attack on Kuch, adding ‘I can say that was certainly a topic of discussion.’

 The four students who have been charged in relation to the attack have not been named due to their young age.

See also  Russia bombards multiple Ukrainian cities including Kyiv, Odesa and Kharkiv

It comes after it emerged another student was involved in a similar attack last January.

Details of that first incident were outlined in a lawsuit filed against the school in October 2022. 

Attorney Jonathan Ettman, who is representing the first victim, told Fox News Digital: such bullying incidents are ‘planned, they’re plotted… because (the students are) seeking notoriety.

‘They want to further bully and shame the victim, so they have their cellphones at the ready,’ Ettman added.

A 20-second clip of Kuch being attacked prior to her suicide has gone viral.

The video shows several students attacking the teen and hitting her with a water bottle as she walked with her boyfriend. 

Students and parents congregated outside the school grounds holding signs of protest

Students and parents congregated outside the school grounds holding signs of protest

Bystanders are also seen laughing at Adriana after she was punched, kicked and had her hair pulled, while she lay in the fetal position on the floor of the school hallway.

One of the attackers could be heard yelling, ‘That’s what you get you stupid a** b****.’

She was treated by the school nurse but officials failed to involve law enforcement.

Her father, Michael Kuch, said Adriana had been hit with a 20-ounce water bottle.

She received care from the school nurse after the attack left her with bruises and wounds.

‘I do know why it happened,’ he said. ‘It happened because these two haven´t liked each other for a couple years, and she had been threatening my daughter online.’

Superintendent Parlapanides was criticized for his handling of the incident.

After being contacted by Dailymail.com, he made some unsavory comments about Kuch’s home life in an apparent attempt to shift the focus from her being bullied. 

See also  Ozzy Osbourne to undergo major surgery that could 'determine the rest of his life'

Parlapanides told Dailymail.com on Friday: ‘Her father was having an affair at the end of her 6th grade. 

‘Her father married the woman he had an affair with and moved her into the house.’

He continued, ‘Her grades and choices declined in 7th and 8th grade. We offered her drug rehab and mental services on five occasions but the father refused every time.’

The school board confirmed that they had accepted his resignation at the weekend.

‘The Central Regional School District Board of Education has accepted the resignation of Dr. Triantafillos Parlapanides,’ it said in a statement on Saturday evening.

‘The Central Regional family continues to mourn the loss of one of our children. We are all praying for the family and loved ones and our entire community. The Central Regional School District is evaluating all current and past allegations of bullying.

‘The District has contacted the Department of Education and will undergo an independent assessment of the District’s anti-bullying policies and ensure every necessary safeguard is in place to protect our students and staff. Dr. Douglas Corbett is acting Superintendent effective immediately.’

Students and parents congregated outside the school grounds on Friday holding signs of protest in what they described to be ‘a shocking lack of sensitivity’ and action from the ‘administration who swore to protect’ them. 

[ad_2]

Source link