College Student Expelled After Smearing Bodily Fluids On Black Roommate's Belongings And Sticking Her Toothbrush 'Where The Sun Don't Shine'
Officials say the incident was an act of racism.
A University of Hartford freshman is facing criminal charges after she allegedly bragged on Instagram about harassing her black roommate until she moved out.
According to People, 18-year-old Brianna Brochu was arrested Saturday and admitted to police that she had licked dining utensils of her roommate, Chennel "Jazzy" Rowe, and smeared bodily fluid from a tampon onto Rowe's backpack. She said she did it as a response to a "hostile environment caused by [the victim's] rude behavior."
And because she said Rowe posted Snapchat videos of her sleeping and made fun fo her snoring.
Rowe posted an earlier video about her reported the alleged harassment and described an exchange where Brocho asker her if she was moving out, and she said yes.
Then Rowe's friends told her to check her roommate's Instagram.
“Finally did it yo girl got rid of her roommate!!” Brochu wrote in a now-deleted Instagram post. “After 1 1/2 month of spitting in her coconut oil, putting moldy clam dip in her lotions, rubbing used tampons [on] her backpack, putting her toothbrush places where the sun doesn’t shine, and so much more I can finally say goodbye Jamaican Barbie.”
Rowe responded with a Facebook post that read: “As a young African American woman I don’t want to become another statistic. When it comes to college incidents/crimes and racial cases justice needs to be served.”
Since the beginning of the school year, Rowe said she had felt "ostracized" by her roommate. She also went to the doctor because she was having throat pain. The student was told that "some type of bad bacteria" was causing it.
Brochu was expelled from the university and faces charges of breach of peace and criminal mischief. She was also ordered to stay off campus and not contact her roommate.
The university first learned about the allegations on Oct. 17
"The incident has brought about accusations of racism, and I want you to know that I hear and share your anger and frustration," said University of Hartford President Greg Woodward in a statement. "Acts of racism, bias, bullying, or other abusive behaviors will not be tolerated on this campus.”
Rowe's video about the incident went viral and caught the attention of "Grey's Anatomy" showrunner Shonda Rimes. She tweeted: "That this type of ignorant hate can flourish in 2017 tests my faith in humanity. Who raised this inhumane ignorant waste of space? Who chose to be her friend and look the other way?"
Brochu has already been released on bail, according to jail records, and her case was continued to a Nov. 15 court date. She has not been reached for comment.
The case has sparked outrage on social media and a "Justice for Jazzy" rally.
Emily Blackwood is an editor at YourTango who covers pop culture, true crime, dating, relationships and everything in between. Every Wednesday at 10:20 p.m. you can ask her any and all questions about self-love, dating, and relationships LIVE on YourTango’s Facebook page. You can follow her on Instagram (@blackw00d) and Twitter (@emztweetz).