One of four bullies accused of assaulting Adriana Kuch slapped with another criminal charge
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BERKELEY, NEW JERSEY: One of the four bullies, who brutally assaulted Adriana Kuch in a New Jersey school hallway, has been slapped with another criminal charge by prosecutors. The disturbing video of the 14-year-old being pummelled was recorded and shared on multiple social media platforms on February 14, which made things worse for the teenager, who ended her life a couple of days later.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said that one of Kuch's alleged attackers was charged with conspiracy to commit aggravated assault and was added to the already filed harassment complaint. He added that the accused was served a copy of that complaint and was released pending future court appearances. None of the bullies' names have been released due to their age.
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Adriana Kuch case UPDATE: What has happened to the tragic teen's bullies?
What charges do the juveniles face?
One of the four juveniles was charged with aggravated assault, two others with conspiracy to commit aggravated assault and the fourth with harassment as of Thursday afternoon, February 23. Kuch's death has deeply affected the Central Regional School District and the community.
Hundreds of angry students and their parents attended the school board meeting on February 16, during which several similar incidents came to light, ranging from bigoted insults to violence. Douglas Corbett became the new Central Regional Superintendent following Triantafillos Parlapanides' resignation due to the backlash he faced after Kuch's death.
During a conference, Corbett said that he did not believe a culture of violence and bullying was present in the district. This, however, was the opposite of what a lot of parents and children told the school board.
Adriana Kuch's friend speaks out
Kuch's friend, Hailie Engesser, spoke up during the meeting and revealed that she was bullied too. She had reported it to the district but it came to nothing. "I’ve just been told to ignore it, to be the bigger person, walk away," she said, according to Fox News. The school is also facing legal action when a video of another incident, identical to what happened to Kuch, started making rounds on social media after being recorded by a student.
The school district has reportedly emailed a new "action plan to prevent and combat bullying" before the Board of Education meeting. "Everyone at Central Regional School District and High School mourns the loss of Adriana Kuch," Corbett said in a statement, adding, "Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends in this difficult time. The circumstances of her passing are disturbing, and we share the community’s shock."