Mother pleads guilty to 6-year-old boy who shot his teacher
Deja Taylor, the mother of the boy who injured his teacher with a gun he brought from his home in the city of Newport News in the US, accepted the charges of “child neglect and endangerment of a child.”
It was indicated that the mother, who faces up to 5 years in prison for the charge in question, reached an agreement in her defense.
Under the plea agreement, prosecutors agreed the woman should not be sentenced for more than 6 months, while Judge Chris Papile said the plea agreement retains the right to not meet the sentencing requirement.
It was reported that the sentencing verdict for federal crimes against Taylor will be released on October 18, while the sentencing decision for state crimes will be released on October 27.
WHAT HAPPENED?
In the incident in Newport News on January 6, recorded as the nation’s first school shooting of 2023, a 6-year-old student shot his teacher with a gun he took from his bag during class at Richneck Elementary School. .
The 25-year-old Zwerner, who was taken to hospital with serious injuries, was reported to be out of danger, and the 6-year-old boy was taken into custody the same day.
Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew said at a news conference on January 10 that they learned the student’s mother had legally purchased the 9mm handgun and brought it to school in the boy’s backpack last night. morning of the incident.
Drew reiterated that the act was “not an accident” and said: “I don’t know what the plot was, what the kid was thinking at the time. We have three times the questions in your mind. The investigation continues. We will know all the details after the statements of all those involved are taken.” he had used the words.
Pointing out that the answers to the 6-year-old boy’s questions are being investigated, how he got his mother’s gun and how he learned to use it, the police chief said that after the investigation is over, the action will be initiated against him, action will be taken on the student’s family in accordance with the evidence and the law.
In a statement made by the student’s family through their lawyer, James S. Ellenson, they assured that their children were “chronically disabled” and that a family member always accompanied them to school, but that week their children went alone. to school.
In the $40 million compensation lawsuit filed by 25-year-old teacher Abigail Zwerner, who was shot in the hand and chest, it was claimed that the school administration was aware of the girl’s tendency to violence and that her family refused to locate her. in special education classes.
The boy’s mother, Deja Taylor, was found guilty of child neglect and child endangerment. (AA)