Adriana Kuch: Tribute shirts to teen who took her own life after vile bullying help fundraising campaign
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).
BERKELEY, NEW JERSEY: Adriana Kuch, 14, was a victim of longtime bullying at Central Regional High School in Berkeley Township. In the days leading to the teenager's death, she was brutally assaulted by her peers in the school's hallway.
However, her nightmare did not end there, following the violent altercation, a viral video of Kuch being beaten up by a group of girls in the hallway circulated on social media. A group of four students was seen throwing kicks and punches at her as she curled up helplessly in a fetal position on the floor of the school corridor. After being unable to bear the humiliation and constant bullying, the 14-year-old decided to take matters into her own hand and committed suicide at her home on February 3.
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'We are all devastated by her loss!'
Following her death, Kuch's tribute shirts have been put on sale in a fundraiser campaign. The t-shirts display a picture of the 14-year-old along with a quote that reads, 'Change4age'. A GofundMe has also been opened by Kuch's aunt Sami Nye on behalf of the teen's father Michael Kuch. "Our beautiful Adriana recently passed on February 3, 2023. Adriana was a wonderful and brave daughter who touched the lives of those around her. We are all devastated by her loss and were not prepared for the high cost of the expenses to come," read the fundraiser.
The fundraiser will cover expenses for Kuch's funeral and legal expenses as her family seek justice for her. "We want to give Adriana the memorial she deserves to honor her memory. I am currently asking for donations to help cover the cost of Adriana’s funeral as well as other legal expenses as we seek justice for her," the statement continued."
Please consider donating, as any amount will truly help our family during this difficult time." Kuch's bullies who were filmed attacking the girl will not be tried as adults but instead as juveniles, according to an official report.
Adriana Kuch's bullies will face lesser punishment for their crimes
"The offenses charged herein are juvenile offenses and not subject to waiver to adult criminal court," Prosecutor Billhimer said in the report. The four students will testify in juvenile court, which means that they will be facing lesser punishments for their crimes. One of the four students has been charged with the aggravated assault of Kuch, two of them have been charged with conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, and the fourth has been charged with harassment. However, the law is very different for juveniles who are convicted of third-degree aggravated assault in New Jersey. Kuch's bullies could reportedly face only up to two years sentence in a juvenile detention center.