'We Want Justice': Central Students Protest After Classmate's Death

BERKELEY, NJ — “Adriana - Adriana - justice now!”

These words were chanted by dozens of Central Regional students who had walked out in a peaceful protest following the death of a 14-year-old classmate, who family members say took her own life.

Friends say that Adriana Kuch took her own life after experiencing severe bullying for several years, including a recent physical attack that was filmed and spread via social media. And they say it could have been prevented if bullying was properly addressed ahead of time.

“The entire district is shaken by the loss of such a young child. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family," said Triantafillos Parlapanides, Central Regional School District superintendent, when reached for comment. He did not address allegations that the district doesn’t properly address bullying incidents.

Students chanted and held up signs reading things like “Justice for age” and “stop bullying” for two-and-a-half hours Wednesday afternoon, pausing only to cheer when cars drove past and honked in support. The protest ended when buses arrived at the end of the day to take students home, though they were called in about 15 minutes early.

Kuch, described as a caring girl by those who knew her, was attacked by four girls at school last week, who also filmed the fight.

The video, seen by a Patch reporter, shows Kuch walking along the hallway on Feb. 1 when the girls arrive and begin to attack her, hitting her with a water bottle before the fight is broken up.

The 20-second long video ends with someone saying “that’s what you get, you stupid a– b—.”

Kuch took her own life two days later, friends and family say.

A History Of Bullying In The District

Central students and families say that Kuch is not the only victim of bullying. Last April, a student was jumped in the school cafeteria after experiencing an injury that left her unable to fight back, her mother previously told Patch. Read more: NJ Star Wrestler Jayla Hahn Jumped At School, Now Fears Going Back

Others shared similar stories with Patch, claiming they or people they knew were bullied and the district did nothing about it.

The same goes for the four girls involved in the fight, students say. Each received 10 days suspension - including Kuch. But this is not enough for those demanding justice.

“We want them to be prosecuted,” Meredith Demuro, a freshman at the school, said.

News 12 New Jersey reported that three girls were charged with third-degree felony assault and the fourth was charged with disorderly conduct.

The reaction to Kuch’s death by the school was poor, Demuro added. A note on the district website mentioned that a tragic death had occurred and that crisis counselors were available to those in need - but students claim they were not made personally aware of that.

“Nobody was supposed to know Adriana killed herself,” said fellow student Lance Jones, but he said that teachers were discussing it and it spread through the school.

Jones said that when Kuch took her life, administration at the school tried to get students to delete the videos of the fight. “They’re trying to silence us,” he said.

Patch reached out to Parlapanides regarding the silencing allegations, but did not immediately hear back.

Hope For Change

Dianne Grossman, a New Jersey mom who founded the nonprofit “Mallory’s Army” after the suicide of her 12-year-old daughter in 2017, told Patch she sees similarities between Mallory and Kuch’s stories.

“When this happened to Mal, my husband said, ‘when’s this all gonna change?’” an emotional Grossman said. “I said, ‘when the right kid dies.’ I wanted it to be her. Last night, when I sobbed, I said, ‘maybe Adriana is the right kid.’”

Grossman, who said she was “broken” for the Kuch family, added that she had previously spoken about bullying at Central.

“I warned them,” she said.

Grossman too is demanding action.

“I want administrators on leave without pay,” she said. “I want all four girls involved to be locked up without any form of bail while the investigation is going on.”

The first step to fixing things, Grossman said, is to not allow students to bring cellphones to school. They are “toxic,” she said.

“They’re not phones, they’re mini computers,” she said, and “serve no purpose.”

The real problem, Grossman said, is that children cannot predict consequences of their actions.

“Kids really, truly believe that it is ok to videotape themselves, post it on social media and nothing will happen to them,” she said.

She also questioned how society got to this point.

“This is a community problem,” Grossman said. “This wasn’t a school fight, this was gang-like behavior. What happened to us as a community?”

“We have lost our moral compass as a society,” she added.

"Mallory's Law" coverage (story continues below):

• Major NJ Anti-Bullying 'Mallory's Law' Awaits Murphy's Signature
• Major NJ Anti-Bullying 'Mallory's Law' Hits Statehouse Floor
• 'The Right Kid Hasn't Died Yet:' The Fight To Pass Mallory's Law
• 'Mallory's Army' Fights Back Against Bullying After 12-Year-Old's Sudden Death

What Comes Next?

Students said they would keep protesting and fighting until something changes. Kuch’s death was the fifth suicide in four years in the district, according to students.

They hope that justice will be served and change will come to the community. But they lament that a life had to be lost because of it.

“Where’s the hall monitors? Where’s the teachers?” Grossman asked.

Though she couldn’t be present at the protest, she thanked the students for standing up for Kuch.

“I will walk side by side with this family,” Grossman said. “Mallory’s Army is supporting them however they need.”

For more information about Mallory’s Army, visit MallorysArmy.Org.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. Spanish speakers can call 1-888-628-9454. People who are deaf or hard of hearing can call 1-800-799-4889.