Alleged rape victim, 14, taunted, kills self

Last Updated: November 10. 2010 2:42PM

Doug Guthrie and George Hunter / The Detroit News

Huron Township— High school freshman Samantha Kelly endured taunts and isolation during her last month in school, classmates said, after news surfaced that she had accused a popular senior of raping her.

On Monday, the 14-year-old girl committed suicide by hanging herself inside her mobile home in Huron Estates, off Inkster, south of King. Friends and family gathered at her home Tuesday, trying to find ways to cope with the pain and anger.

One relative who was not at the trailer was Samantha's mother, June Justice. She said it would be too painful to return to the site where her daughter killed herself.

Samantha's classmates at Huron High School said the school became divided over the rape allegations, with many students calling her a liar in the halls and on the school bus.

"They all took sides," said 17-year-old senior Sheila Little. "Her friends left her because they said she was lying. It's obvious this pressure had a real impact on her."

Sheila said Samantha confided in her that she had tried to commit suicide three weeks ago by overdosing on pills. "She said, 'I'm tired of people talking about me, so here you go. I might try it again,' " she said.

When news of Samantha's suicide reached the school, Sheila said, many students were unrelenting.

"People were saying, 'She was only doing it for the attention,' " Sheila said. "What kind of attention is that? She didn't ask for this."

Prosecutors plan to drop sexual assault charges against Joseph Tarnopolski, the 18-year-old who was accused of having sex with Samantha. A preliminary court examination was scheduled for today, and Samantha had been subpoenaed to testify.

Because the only witness against Tarnopolski is now dead, the charges will be dropped, said Maria Miller, spokeswoman for Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy.

"Without the victim, we're unable to go forward with the case," Miller said.

Samantha's aunt, Charlie Justice, was upset at the prosecutor's decision.

"No victim, no case — are you kidding? Where's the justice in that? She didn't ask for this," Justice said.

The girl's mother last month reported to police that Tarnopolski had sex with her daughter. Tarnopolski was charged with third-degree criminal sexual conduct and was released on bond, with a condition that he have no contact with the alleged victim.

After his release on 10 percent of a $10,000 bond on Oct. 12, Tarnopolski returned to Huron High.

Tarnopolski lives eight doors down the street from Samantha's mobile home. A vehicle was parked in the driveway of the Tarnopolski trailer Tuesday afternoon, although no one answered the door.

Tarnopolski Tweeted several times, apparently about the case. On Sept. 28, he Tweeted, "All girls are, are liars and backstabbers! I hate you all. Way to ruin my life. Seriously, now this will be on my record for life!"

Miller said her office did not know the girl was being teased by classmates until after a Fox 2 (WJBK) news broadcast on Oct. 20 identifying the girl's mother.

"Although the child's face was not seen, when the mother was interviewed, essentially the child's identity was revealed," Miller said.

"After the broadcast, it is our understanding that the child was harassed at school. We had no reports of harassment prior to the airing of the piece."

Alicia Skillman, executive director of Equality Michigan, a Detroit-based organization that has tried to get anti-bullying legislation passed, said taunting takes a toll on children.

"This affects everyone; that's something some people don't seem to get," Skillman said. "You can be an average, middle-of-the road youth, and you can be bullied."

An estimated 160,000 U.S. children miss school every day because they fear being attacked or intimidated by others, according to the National Education Association.

From: http://www.detnews.com/article/20101110/METRO/11100371/1409/Alleged-rape-victim--14--taunted--kills-self