Charges Dropped After Alleged Teen Rape Victim Commits Suicide
A rape suspect walked out of court Wednesday after his accuser took her own life. As expected, charges were dropped against 18-year-old Joseph Tarnopolski, accused of sexual assault by a 14-year-old Huron High school student.
Grief counselors are on hand at the school after Samantha Kelly, who was at the center of a rape investigation, hung herself after being bullied by other students.
School officials, who have confirmed the suicide, say the two, had a sexual encounter over the summer. Last month, Samantha said Tarnopolski had forced her to have sex.
Tarnopolski had been charged with statutory rape as a result, and was due in court Wednesday, but the Wayne County prosecutor's office said the suicide means the case can't proceed.
With Kelly's death, Tarnopolski was not able to face his accuser -- the only witness to what allegedly took place.
Kelly's mother, June Justice, claims that she and her aunt were led to another room to speak with a prosecuting attorney, while, at the same time, the charges were being dropped.
"We have no case because she's dead, and he don't have the right to talk to her!" Justice told reporters, through tears. "It's being dismissed," she said.
Kelly's mom said her daughter was hospitalized following an overdose.
Kelly's aunt, Charley Justice, said her niece insisted on returning to the school where her alleged attacker was still attending after the family could not find another school for her. Kelly told her family she was harassed by other students, who taunted and threw things at her.
"They've done everything to that kid. They literally waited until she got in school and threw dog [excrement] all over her -- wiped it on her and stuff... in school!" Charley Justice said.
"And I said 'Samantha, I'm gonna come get you,' and she's like 'No, Aunt Charlie, just bring me another shirt. They're not gonna keep doing this.' All she wanted was her education," she said.
School officials say they took measures to make sure Kelly would feel safe, allowing her to go to the principal's office for support at any time she felt it was necessary.
WWJ's Ron Dewey spoke with Douglas Raines, a parent of a student at Huron High. While he admits not knowing all of the facts behind the tragedy, he said he wants to make sure his son is in a safe environment.
"There's probably bullying at every school. You know, every when we were kids -- there's bullying that goes on at every school. I think this school district's done a good job in controlling it," Raines said.
Other parents don't agree -- one saying not all the students bullied the girl, but those who did, she said, are the ones who killed her.
Kelly will be buried Sunday.
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