This story may contain disturbing details. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.
Adriana Cucci’s family alleges in a lawsuit that she was bullied at her New Jersey school, allegedly “creating a culture of violence,” which continued at home until she committed suicide.
Cucci was a 14-year-old student in the Central Regional School District. He died by suicide at his home on February 3, 2023. That was two days after the accident. Video of her hallway assault I caught a virus.
During Adriana’s funeral on February 10, Superintendent Triantafilos Parlapanides, who has since resigned, allegedly made “defamatory” comments to journalists about Cucci’s father’s affair. The complaint alleges that this led to Adriana’s mother’s suicide and that he then disclosed Adriana’s mental health struggles to the press.
The lawsuit filed this week says that instead of protecting Adrianna from “known” bullies, the New Jersey district authorities’ “egregious” actions were “intentionally, recklessly, recklessly, and intentionally… “It was malicious and completely ignored.” .
New Jersey student ends his life after months of bullying, video of him being beaten on campus goes viral online
Adriana Cucci’s father wants justice after her suicide. (Michael Cucci)
The Central Regional School District did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Cucci was assaulted by a group of students in the hallway, but at least another student filmed the vicious attack and uploaded the video to social media, where it quickly went viral.
Teen’s suicide after school assault filmed: New Jersey student bullied like Adrianna Cucci a year ago: lawsuit
The attackers allegedly punched Adriana in the face, pulled her hair, hit her with a water bottle, and kicked her, while bystanders laughed and encouraged the attackers.
Her body was covered in what appeared to be bruises in the photo, and the physical damage was obvious. She suffered bruises, swelling, cuts and lacerations to her head, face, body and legs, according to her complaint.
But the avalanche of hateful comments, shaming and ridicule that followed this teenager was even worse. She lingered like a stench for two days until her father discovered her daughter hanging herself in her bedroom on the night of February 2-3.
A 14-year-old high school student in New Jersey took his own life after a video of him being attacked by a group of girls was posted online. (Michael Cucci)
William Kreis, a lawyer for Cucci’s family, said Adriana’s father, Michael Cucci, and his family have already experienced “so much heartache and tragedy.”
“The gross negligence of school officials and the superintendent’s subsequent cruel, insensitive, and defamatory comments only add to their suffering,” Kreis said in a statement. “It is the defendants’ job to provide a safe and secure environment for the students of Central Regional High School.
“They catastrophically failed Adrianna, causing her emotional distress, humiliation and embarrassment, and ultimately causing her to take her own life. The school and its officials are held accountable for their actions. The time has come.”
Adriana Cucci dies: New Jersey prosecutor meets with school officials after bullied girl ends her life
Adriana Cucci died by suicide after being bullied at Central Regional High School in New Jersey. (Michael Cucci)
The wide-ranging civil lawsuit, filed Jan. 29 in Ocean County Court, names the Central Regional School District, former Superintendent Parlapanides, the school board, high school principals and assistant principals, and several individuals who served in the rebel group. District officials were named. Bullying leadership roles.
The lawsuit seeks a jury trial and unspecified punitive damages.
WATCH: School board explodes after Adriana Cucci’s suicide
The video of Adriana’s suicide and the bullies’ attack sparked anger in the community, and crowds gathered at the next school board meeting.
One by one, her friends and other students’ parents yelled at the school board and district officials about a culture of bullying that they say has been going on for years.
A lawsuit is now being filed against the school district after a nearly identical hallway attack on another student was recorded and uploaded to social media.
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“The student who came to the district was happy and healthy. He did not require medical or psychiatric help and is now on medication,” one parent said at the meeting.
“We’re hurting. They’re hurting, too. My daughter is back home and she’s scared and doesn’t want to go to school,” said another parent, fighting back tears.
