NEW JERSEY (WABC) – After the death of a 14-year-old New Jersey high school student who took her own life earlier this month after being bullied, the governor says he’s keeping all options on the table for dealing with the school.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has raised the issue of who should run Central Regional High School in Bayville.
“It’s just heartbreaking and it’s very angry,” Governor Murphy said.
On Thursday, the governor weighed in on the terrible death of 14-year-old Adriana Kuch.
A Bayville high school student committed suicide two days after a video of her being attacked by classmates was posted on social media.
One of the four teenagers was charged Thursday with additional charges of conspiracy to commit aggravated assault in addition to charges previously filed by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, ranging from stalking to aggravated assault.
“It’s a terrible tragedy,” Murphy said. “I cannot express this more strongly. It’s horrible, this precious little girl, her family. It’s like a bullying culture.”
This culture of bullying has drawn hundreds of people to a school board meeting last week. The widespread accusations and outrage may now force the state to reconsider existing anti-bullying laws.
“I was asked if everything was on the table, and the answer is that it should be on the table,” Murphy said. “It’s now separate from the channel run by the Ocean County District Attorney.”
The fallout forced the Bayville school principal to resign, but he will continue to earn nearly $200,000 this year. And that’s even after revealing personal information about Kuch after her death.
“When you hear that the superintendent is still on the payroll after something he didn’t do and then said, it’s outrageous,” Murphy said.
Still, the governor believes New Jersey has some of the toughest anti-bullying laws in the country. Although after the death of Adriana Kuch, many will not agree with this.
“I believe we have the strongest anti-bullying laws in the country,” he said. “It is quite clear that we need to do more and we are open to doing more. I promise you.’
If you are experiencing suicide, substance abuse or other mental health crises, please call or text the new three-digit code to 988. You will receive a qualified crisis counselor free of charge, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also go to 988lifeline.org.
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