Autistic Teen Gets 5 Years For Teacher Aide Attack

An autistic Florida scholar will serve 5 years in jail for beating a highschool worker unconscious final 12 months. PEOPLE experiences that Brendan Depa assaulted a instructor’s aide on video after she took away his Nintendo Swap.

Particulars On Autistic Teen’s Assault On Instructor Aide

In response to NBC Information, the 18-year-old is identified with autism. He acquired a five-year jail sentence and fifteen years of probation on August 6, per the Seventh Judicial Circuit Courtroom in Flagler County.

In October, Brendan Depa pleaded no contest to aggravated battery prices associated to the February 2023 assault on Joan Naydich at Matanzas Excessive College, in accordance with WKMG.

Per PEOPLE, video proof sees Joan Naydich taking away Brendan’s Nintendo Swap earlier than he charged at her, knocking her to the bottom after which punching and kicking her. The footage additionally exhibits Naydich going unconscious as Brendan continues to violently assault her.

An arrest report states that Depa stands six toes six inches tall and weighs 270 kilos. He reportedly punched Joan Naydich fifteen occasions.

Instructor’s Aide & Brendan’s Mother Testified In Courtroom

The choose held a sentencing listening to in Could however delayed his resolution, stating he wanted to listen to from extra witnesses. Nevertheless, the state argued that Depa ought to serve important time in jail.

Per WKMG, the lady he attacked additionally spoke in court docket, advocating for jail time.

Naydich testified in court docket that the incident severely impacted her life and psychological well being, explaining that it prompted her nervousness and post-traumatic stress dysfunction, per NBC Information.

“My life won’t ever be what it was earlier than. Brendan Depa’s actions that day has prompted me to lose a job that I had for nearly 19 years, lose my monetary safety, lose my medical health insurance,” Naydich mentioned.

A psychologist testified that Brendan acted aggressively and deliberately. Nevertheless, his attorneys argued that he has a number of recognized disabilities and triggers that usually result in outbursts.

WKMG reported that Brendan’s mom, Leann Depa, took the stand throughout his sentencing and shared statements about her son. Leann defined that Depa has a historical past of violent habits however warned his college about his triggers.

“I had informed the college that being hungry was a set off, that noise was a set off, that being informed no was a set off, that being corrected in entrance of different folks was a set off, and electronics was an enormous set off,” Leann Depa testified.

What’s Subsequent For Brendan Depa?

Decide Terrence Perkins ordered the Division of Corrections to evaluate Brendan Depa’s psychological well being and create a care plan whereas prohibiting him from contacting Naydich.

Brendan’s mom, Leann, criticized his sentencing, claiming the court docket punished him due to his race. She additionally argued that his college didn’t develop a behavioral plan for him.

“I feel he wants assist. Completely. I feel he wants assist. And I feel he wants remedy however I don’t assume he must be put away in a jail the place he’s going to be taken benefit of or harmed,” Leann defined.

Attorneys representing Leann’s household filed a lawsuit in opposition to the district this 12 months, accusing college officers of neglecting to supply her son with correct assist, which they declare contributed to the assault, in accordance with a grievance obtained by WFTS-TV of Tampa.

WKMG states Brendan Depa will serve 15 years of supervised probation alongside his jail sentence, with obligatory remedy for his disabilities included.

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