In America, there are many people mourning the untimely passing of Adriana Kuch, 14.

Gone too soon

Adriana was a freshman student at Central Regional High School.

She loved animals, was loved by her family, and even saved the life of a then-8-year-old child, Luciana. Adriana rescued Luciana months ago when she saw the younger girl beginning to drown in her pool after having swallowed some of the pool's water.

Video footage, along with confirmation from Luciana's mother, shows Adriana taking off her jacket and then rushing into the water to help the struggling Luciana.

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Sadly, during Adriana's time at Central Regional High School, she dealt with bullying. Earlier this month, the 14-year-old ended her own life after being violently assaulted in school by four different girls.

This assault was filmed and later posted on the internet. The bullies involved would continue to taunt Adriana, sending her cruel messages even after footage of the assault made the rounds on social media.

How did this happen?

On Friday, February 3, Adriana was discovered dead. According to her father, Michael Kuch, Adriana ended her life after one of the bullies sent her a nasty message, mocking her for the assault she endured days prior.

This tragedy has now led to Central Regional High School facing major public backlash. Amid other reports of bullying at the school, Triantafillos Parlapanides, the now-former superintendent, resigned after the fallout.

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Before resigning, Parlapanides, even in the aftermath of what happened to Adriana, bizarrely accused the 14-year-old of using drugs.

Michael Kuch warns that issues at Central Regional High School extend beyond just the now-former superintendent.

He says all the adults involved at the school did not fully inform him of what happened to Adriana or take the necessary steps to protect her when they had the chance.

Likewise, the father of the 14-year-old says his daughter was deprived of the necessary medical attention after being assaulted.

The aftermath

All four of the girls who assaulted Adriana and drove her to suicide are expelled from Central Regional High School.

Furthermore, each one is facing criminal charges. These charges range from harassment to aggravated assault and conspiracy to commit aggravated assault.

Americans nationwide have taken to social media, weighing in with shock, anger, and horror about what happened to Adriana. Some have suggested that the charges against Adriana's bullies should be harsher, with involuntary manslaughter cited.

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Meanwhile, other children attending Central Regional High School have started protesting. They've expressed their demands of justice for Adriana, along with broader reforms at the school to stop widespread bullying.

People who knew Adriana describe her as a kind, sweet girl who loved everyone. A wake has been held for Adriana and her father vows to take legal action against the administration of Central Regional School District.

In Closing

What happened to Adriana will forever be a tragedy. We will never know all that she could have done, accomplished, or become if she'd lived.

This tragedy must serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of bullying. It is not acceptable to write off bullying as just something that kids do. Simply saying that bullying helps kids develop tougher skin is not good enough either.

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Schools have a moral and legal obligation to protect children when these children are in their care. Parents would likewise do well to make sure their kids are not bullying their peers or driving them to suicide.

Adriana will be forever loved and missed.