BERKELEY – A lawsuit filed on the anniversary of the death of Adriana Kuch accuses Central Regional School District staff of failing to protect her from being attacked by other teens in school, which was broadcast on social media, contributing to her suicide.
The attack was on February 1 and her death was on February 3, 2023. The death of the 14-year-old freshman was heartbreaking for many of the residents in town, bringing up memories of when they were also bullied at school. The incident garnered international attention. A law making it illegal to share video or images of an attack on a minor has been proposed.
The law firm of Porzio, Bromberg & Newman has publicized the lawsuit, sending it to the media. As with all legal issues, school officials have declined to comment.
This is a civil case, not a criminal one.
The suit was brought by her father and stepmother, Michael Kuch, Sr. and Sarah Kuch. Adriana’s mother, Brandy, died in 2016.
The suit names former Superintendent Triantafillos Parlapanides, former high school Principal Irene Marousis, anti-bullying specialist Darryl Heale, former anti-bullying coordinator (current director of data management) Thomas Gallahue, anti-bullying specialist Jennifer Mullins, former assistant principal (current principal) Angello Mazzuca, and the Central Regional Board of Education. It also lists a number of John and Jane Does who are meant to represent staff at the school whose roles in this incident are “unknown.”
The first count essentially says that the district knew of a problem and failed to stop it.
Loved ones burned candles in memory of Adriana. (Photo by Chris Lundy)
The suit says that there is a culture of bullying at this school. It says that the school staff “knew or should have known” that violent attacks were being posted on social media. They said that the staff should have acted on a policy to “review and take possession” of students’ cell phones to prevent such a thing from happening. The suit also says that the four kids who jumped Adriana were known to be dangerous.
The lawsuit accuses the district of not filing a police report so that the attackers would face criminal charges. At the time, Parlapanides was quoted as saying that they didn’t want the perpetrators to face a “double whammy” of school discipline and criminal charges.
This issue had been brought up by families at school board meetings immediately after. There was a bill proposed that would require schools to notify the police of every act of violence. However, residents questioned if this meant that a kindergartener smacking another kindergartener would result in police intervention. The question became ‘what constitutes an attack worthy of involving the police?’
The second through fifth counts take issue with Parlapanides’ comments to certain websites that issues at home contributed Adriana’s suicide, which the family denies. The family says his statements were defamation and a breach of privacy. They also constitute “negligent infliction of emotional distress” and “intentional infliction of emotional distress.”
The sixth count explores the emotional impact the family had upon finding her body. The seventh count is punitive damages.
The family has stayed away from making statements to the media. The father was quoted in a press release from the law firm.
Loved ones made signs remembering Adriana and calling for an end to bullying and the resignation of school officials. (Photo by Chris Lundy)
“Adriana was the light of our lives, and one year after her horrific and needless death, we are still waiting for justice,” said Michael Kuch. “It’s clear this school has a serious bullying problem that none of the school administrators care to admit or address. But what’s more troublesome and hurtful are the incredibly rude and insensitive comments from Superintendent Parlapanides when our family was at its lowest point. How someone could make such false and careless remarks when our daughter had just died is beyond me.”
“Michael Kuch and his family have experienced so much heartache and tragedy already, and the gross negligence of school officials – followed by the superintendent’s cruel, insensitive, and defamatory remarks – only compound their pain,” said William Krais, Kuch family counsel and a Porzio, Bromberg & Newman principal. “It is the defendants’ job to provide a safe and secure environment for the students at Central Regional High School. They catastrophically failed Adriana, leading to the emotional distress, humiliation, and embarrassment that ultimately caused her to take her own life. It’s high time the school and those involved are held accountable for their actions.”
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