The New Jersey district where bullied 14-year-old Adriana Kuch took her own life will now allow school officials to look through students’ cellphones in an effort to curb bullying.
The Central Regional School District in Ocean County will require middle school students to keep their phones in special pockets during class, while high schoolers will also have the option to keep them switched off and put away.
The updated electronics policy went into effect in August and applies to students in grades 7 through 12, NJ.com reported.
The change in rules comes after 14-year-old Adriana died by suicide after a video was posted online of a group of girls cruelly bullying and physically attacking her.
Adriana, who attended Central Regional High School in Berkeley Township, was found dead at home two days after the horrific Feb. 1 assault.
An alarming video of the bullying showed several students attacking the teen, hitting her with a water bottle as she walked with her boyfriend down a school hallway. Adriana’s assailants punched her, kicked her and pulled her hair, while others looked on and laughed.
Officials at the school 14-year-old Adriana Kuch attended will now be allowed to search students’ cellphones. Facebook/Jennifer FerroAdriana’s humiliating beating and the online circulation of a video of the attack led to her taking her own life, her father said, calling her suicide a direct result of repeated harassment. His claims have prompted a firestorm of accusations that the school district has a culture of bullying.
At least three lawsuits have been filed against the school district over claims that officials failed to investigate on-campus harassment and bullying of students.
Three girls have been charged with third-degree felony assault and a fourth was charged with disorderly conduct in connection with the assault on Adriana.
The Central Regional School District in Ocean County’s new policy went into effect in August. Stefan Jeremiah for NY Post
Adriana, 14, took her life two days after the horrifying videotaped assault. WABCAt the time, Schools Superintendent Triantafilllos Parlapanides said police were not called directly after the attack, citing school policy.
Ever since Adriana’s family has alleged the school mishandled the videotaped attack, others have come forward to accuse the district of mishandling alleged bullying.
Central Regional announced a series of initiatives to evaluate and improve the district’s approach to bullying following Adriana’s death and the recent spate of allegations against the district.
Adriana’s attack was videotaped and shared online.
Those initiatives include a committee to update the school’s bullying policy and review the district’s cellphone policy, among other things.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the five boroughs, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
