College Student Expelled For Alleged Hate Crime Against Roommate

WEST HARTFORD, CT — A University of Hartford student has been expelled from the school for “reprehensible conduct” toward her roommate, who she referred to as “Jamaican Barbie” on social media, including smearing “bodily fluids” on the victim’s personal property. Brianna Brochu, 18, was arrested on a warrant last week on misdemeanor charges, but as more details from the case emerged, West Hartford Police announced Wednesday afternoon that they would be seeking an additional hate crime charge. The victim spoke out about the bullying case in a Facebook Live post on Monday night.

In a post on Instagram, Brochu was apparently celebrating that she had “finally gotten rid” of her roommate and claimed that for the past month she had spit in the victim’s coconut oil, put moldy clam dip in her lotion, rubbed used tampons on her backpack and put her toothbrush in “places where the sun doesn’t shine.”

The victim told police that she had experienced "severe throat pain" and felt the pain was a result of Brochu's tampering with her "personal items," according to Lt. Michael Perruccio. Police began investigating the incident on Oct. 18 after being notified of the complaint by the University of Hartford’s Public Safety department.

The Hartford Courant reports that Brochu told police that she licked the victim's plate, fork and spoon and smeared her own bodily fluid on the victim's backpack, but denied the other things she wrote about on social media and said it was an attempt to be funny.

After the victim's story spread on social media, University of Hartford President Greg Woodward sent a message to the school community on Tuesday night saying that Brochu’s “behavior was reprehensible and does not reflect the values of our institution.”

“The incident has brought about accusations of racism, and I want you to know that I hear and share your anger and frustration,” Woodward said. “Acts of racism, bias, bullying, or other abusive behaviors will not be tolerated on this campus. I pledge to do everything in my power to work with our community to address related concerns together.”

Woodward then sent an update on the “deeply disturbing situation” on Wednesday afternoon and said that Brochu is no longer a student at the University of Hartford and she “will not be returning to the institution.”

“There has been an outpouring of concern for the victim of these acts from across the University and the country,” Woodward said in the update. “In my meeting with her yesterday, I reiterated my personal commitment to ensuring she has all available personal and academic resources the University can provide.

“As I said yesterday, the University took action immediately once these allegations were brought to our attention. University Public Safety was first notified and responded to this incident at 11:48 p.m. on October 17. The reprehensible conduct of the involved student was not known by the victim or the University until that time. By 1:12 a.m. the West Hartford Police Department was notified and processes for legal and University conduct began. A no-contact order was put into place and the case was turned over to local authorities by 2:16 a.m.

“It is clear there is work to be done at our University to ensure that all students feel safe, respected, and valued. The conversations that began with student groups, faculty, and staff yesterday are going to continue and involve our full community. I am dedicated to that mission and will continue to share additional information about opportunities for our path forward in meaningful dialogue and action.”

Brochu turned herself in on a warrant on Oct. 28 and was charged with third-degree criminal mischief and second-degree breach of peace. Police announced on Wednesday afternoon that after further review of the case, Broch will be additionally charged with intimidation based on bigotry or bias. Perruccio also said that the department is in the process of review to entire case to "ensure the proper procedures were followed."

Brochu was released on a $1,000 bond and has yet to enter a plea. She is due back in court on Nov. 15, according to state judicial records.

Pictured: Brianna Brochu / West Hartford Police Department