Who Is Brianna Brochu? Student Who Smeared Used Tampons On Black Roommate’s Bag Arrested

A University of Hartford freshman was arrested Saturday following weeks of alleged abuse of her roommate, including rubbing a used tampon on her bag.

Brianna Brochu, 18, of Harwinton, Connecticut, was charged with two misdemeanors: second-degree breach of peace and third-degree criminal mischief. Brochu was released without bail according to the Hartford Courant. Her arraignment is Wednesday.

The university said it was investigating the matter.

“Upon learning of the incident, Public Safety immediately ensured that the victim was relocated to a safe location, notified local authorities, and provided support for their investigation. The accused student was subsequently arrested by the West Hartford Police Department and her case will proceed through the legal process. The University will continue to precisely execute our defined process outlined in the Code of Student Conduct,” the school said in a statement.

Brochu bragged about what she did to her roommate, Chennel Rowe, on her Instagram after she moved out. Brochu, who is white, called Rowe, who is black, “Jamaican Barbie.”

“Finally did it yo girl got rid of her roommate!! 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,” wrote Brochu.

Rowe said that she felt the alleged abuse was racially motivated and the incident has sparked social media outrage, with people asking for “justice for Jazzy” — Rowe's nickname.

Rowe said that she was sick during the beginning of the school year, and now blames Brochu for her illness. Rowe posted about the incident on her Facebook, criticizing the college for its handling of the matter.

“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. Colleges are known to just sweep issues that happen within the campus under the rug, making the issue disappear and not doing anything about it,” said Rowe in a Facebook post.

Brochu admitted to smearing used tampons on her roommate’s bag and licked her utensils, but denied some of the other actions she referenced on Instagram. She told police she wanted to appear “funny.”

Brochu told police that she “began to lash out due to a 'hostile environment' caused by [Rowe’s] rude behavior, not compromising, and posting Snapchat videos of me sleeping and making fun of me snoring.”

Rowe told WTIC-TV, a Fox News affiliate in Hartford, Connecticut, that the school made her sign “no contact agreement” and that the school threatened to remove her from campus if she spoke about the incident.

Rowe posted a Facebook video detailing her frustrations.