New Jersey ‘MAGA mom’ school board member allegedly targeted in 'vile' text scandal: ‘They wanted me dead’
Share this @internewscast.com

Danielle Bellomo, a mother of three and a conservative member of a New Jersey school board, was confronted with a chilling text message that read: “She can’t die soon enough.” This message marked a turning point in her life.

“Seeing those words, ‘She can’t die soon enough,’ left me stunned,” Bellomo recounted in an exclusive conversation with Fox News Digital. “I was aware of political disagreements, but I never imagined that someone might actually wish for my death.”

Bellomo, who serves on the Marlboro Township Board of Education and is a longstanding community volunteer, now finds herself embroiled in a controversy that has rocked her suburban New Jersey community and ignited a nationwide debate within the parental rights movement.

A judge in Monmouth County recently extended a temporary restraining order against Mitesh Gandhi, the spouse of another board member, following revelations of disturbing text messages allegedly sent by him. Among the messages was a group chat ominously titled, “This B—- Needs to Die.”

Danielle Bellomo holds up an award

Danielle Bellomo became the center of a viral text message scandal, with one of the threads allegedly showing Gandhi referring to her as “a lying c—” and stating, “Mission is to just let her die by herself lol.”

In one of the text threads, Gandhi allegedly referred to Bellomo as “a lying c—” and wrote, “Mission is to just let her die by herself lol.”

Another viral message, part of what was dubbed “Nipplegate” in October, appeared to show former board candidate Scott Semaya typing during a public meeting, “Bellomo must be cold — her nips could cut glass right n” with a finger about to press the ‘o’ on his phone’s keyboard. 

Fox News Digital has reviewed screenshots of the alleged messages.

That image spread rapidly online last month, drawing condemnation from parents and even Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who called the comments “wrong and evil.” Two candidates involved in the chat later dropped out of the school board race.

“It surprised me that it reached that level,” Bellomo said. “But it didn’t surprise me that conservatives stand behind one another. The parental-rights movement is strong.”

Bellomo has spent more than a decade volunteering in Marlboro Township schools. She says she ran for the board to support curriculum transparency and parental rights, not to become a target.

“I got involved in the school boards because I’m an active volunteer in our community. I’ve been involved with the parent organization that I account for going on 12 years,” she said. “So I saw the school board as the next step in furthering my involvement in the community and I wanted it to enhance my children’s educational experience while they were in the K-3 district. I never imagined that it would have led to this.”

Danielle Bellomo hands out food

Danielle Bellomo, a New Jersey mom, was targeted in a group chat called “This B—- must Die” for her conservative political views. (Danielle Bellomo via Facebook)

The threats changed everything inside her home.

“My son is almost a teenager. He used to go places with his friends — now he asks if someone is going to come to our house,” she said. “My 8-year-old cries if she thinks I have a board meeting. My youngest keeps asking if I’m safe.”

Her oldest son saw the coverage of grown men sharing lewd messages about Bellomo’s body on social media.

“That was humiliating for him,” she said. “He’s a middle-schooler. His friends saw it. It has affected every part of our life.”

According to Bellomo, online hostility in town isn’t new, but she said she believes this has crossed into something far more serious.

“There’s always been Facebook drama, people arguing,” she said. “When I realized that there wasn’t just one, but two different communications and possibly, you know, who knows how many more where one communication is a group chat that was titled, ‘This B—- needs to die,’ and then the other is actually plans and that there’s a mission and the mission is to watch me die or to have me die alone….. It really just takes it to a whole different level. It’s like, this is not just normal disagreement.

Mitesh Gandhi

Gandhi did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. (Mitesh Gandhi via Facebook)

The judge overseeing the protective-order hearing refused to dismiss Gandhi’s request to end the order, allowing Bellomo’s protective order to continue through January, when a full trial will be held. 

Under New Jersey law, a harassment-related protective order can be extended if a judge finds an ongoing risk to the petitioner.

But at the criminal level, Bellomo says the Marlboro Police Department referred the case to the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, which declined charges.

“I was disheartened, but not surprised,” she said. “We have a Democrat prosecutor. The police recommended charges, but he didn’t follow through.”

Bellomo says the most painful part has been the response, or lack thereof, from her own school district. One of the text threads, she claims, was sent during an in-person board meeting while she sat just feet away.

“Our township has policies. If someone is a threat, they’re not supposed to be allowed on school property,” she said. “Our superintendent, Dr. Michael Ballone, did nothing. Our board president, Brian Cohen, did nothing. They chose not to implement the policies that are already in place.”

Lenny Thor (L), Chad Hyett (C) and Mitesh Gandhi (R)

Lenny Thor, left, Chad Hyett and Mitesh Gandhi are some of those named to participate in the alleged group chat. ( )

“The Marlboro Township Public Schools (MTPS) takes the safety and security of all board members, staff, students, and families extremely seriously,” Ballone wrote in a statement to Fox News Digital.

“Administration has responded accordingly to Mrs. Bellomo’s concerns, including her expressions of feeling unsafe by working with the Marlboro Police Department, the entity responsible for ensuring all Marlboro residents (including Board members) are protected. We also added to our internal safety protocols which cannot be disclosed publicly,” Ballone added. “MTPS believes in maintaining a secure environment for everyone.”

Two fellow board members, Annette Siewert and Valentina Mendez, were the only colleagues who stepped in, she said.

“They begged the superintendent to protect us,” Bellomo said. “They stood up publicly and asked for action. Nobody else did.”

Bellomo says she has already heard from dozens of women who say her situation has scared them away from public service.

“They say, ‘I could never go through what you’re going through,’” she said. “That’s heartbreaking. Local government should not require you to put your family at risk.”

“I used to go to every school event, every community activity,” she said. “Now I keep the kids home from things. I send my husband inside first to check if people are there who shouldn’t be. My life changed overnight.”

Bellomo said she believes the threats stem from her outspoken advocacy of curriculum and parental rights, issues that have divided school boards across the country.

“I was very transparent during my campaign,” she said. “I stand firmly for parental rights, local control and age-appropriate curriculum. And I’ve pushed back hard on some of the policies coming down from the state.” She added, “I think that made me a target.”

Despite everything, Bellomo said she has no plans to quit the board. 

“I absolutely want to continue,” she said. “This mission is too important. And I hope the district eventually implements the policies that are supposed to protect us.”

What she wants most, she says, is to remind Americans that disagreement should never turn to calling for violence.

“We should be able to debate. We should be able to disagree,” Bellomo said. “But it should never rise to the level of wanting to hurt someone. We can do better than this.”

Gandhi, Semaya, Cohen and the county prosecutor’s office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Donald Trump, Cuba news: With Nicolas Maduro ousted, Trump warns Havana, Miguel Díaz-Canel to make a 'deal' before it's too late

Donald Trump Advises Cuba’s Leadership to Negotiate Following Nicolas Maduro’s Removal from Power

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — On Sunday, President Donald Trump issued a…
Veteran actor T.K. Carter, known for 'The Thing' and 'Punky Brewster,' dies at 69

Beloved Actor T.K. Carter of ‘The Thing’ and ‘Punky Brewster’ Fame Passes Away at 69

T.K. Carter, a seasoned actor known for his roles in the iconic…
US warns Americans to leave Venezuela immediately as armed militias set up roadblocks

Urgent Alert: Americans Advised to Exit Venezuela Due to Rising Militia Roadblocks

The U.S. government has issued a fresh security alert urging American citizens…
New video shows minutes leading up to deadly Minneapolis ICE shooting

Newly Released Video Unveils Critical Moments Before Fatal ICE Shooting in Minneapolis

Newly released video footage, unveiled on Saturday, captures the moments leading up…
Journalist’s dangerous obsession with a forgotten serial killer unraveled her reality

Unveiling Obsession: How a Forgotten Serial Killer Shattered a Journalist’s World

Laura Greenberg, a journalist on a mission to comprehend the darker sides…
Crowd-for-Hire Boss Says He Wants Nothing to Do With 'Any Form of Illegal Protest' in Minneapolis

Minneapolis Crowdsourcing Leader Distances from Illegal Protests Amid Controversy

For quite some time now, it’s been evident that many so-called “protestors”…
JSO: Elderly man dead after hit-and-run on Vernon Road

Tragic Hit-and-Run on Vernon Road Claims Life of Elderly Man: JSO Seeks Public’s Help

A man was discovered on the road after being hit by an…
Iran flips ‘kill switch’ to hide alleged crimes as death toll rises amid protests

Iran Shuts Down Internet to Conceal Alleged Human Rights Violations as Protest Death Toll Climbs

Iran’s government has reportedly activated an internet “kill switch,” aiming to obscure…
Street takeovers and traffic control by agitators in Minnesota cross legal lines, retired detective says

Retired Detective Highlights Legal Concerns Over Minnesota Street Takeovers by Activist Groups

Individuals disrupting traffic and hindering law enforcement efforts in Minnesota are being…
Mississippi man charged with murder after 6 killed in overnight shootings, including 7-year-old

Mississippi Tragedy: Man Faces Murder Charges After Devastating Overnight Shooting Claims Six Lives, Including a Child

A man, aged 24, is now facing murder charges following a tragic…
Greenland leaders push back on Trump's calls for US control of the island: 'We don’t want to be Americans'

Greenland Stands Firm: Rejecting U.S. Control and Embracing Sovereignty Over Americanization

Greenland’s government has firmly rejected President Donald Trump’s proposal for the United…
Ozark Trail camping stoves recalled after 16 reports of injuries from explosions, fires

Urgent Recall: Ozark Trail Camping Stoves Linked to Explosions and Fires, 16 Injuries Reported

On November 26, 2025, a significant recall was announced for over 200,000…