NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — On Tuesday, Auguest 15, the mother of the 6-year-old boy accused of shooting his first-grade teacher in a Richneck Elementary School classroom in January pleaded guilty to felony child neglect.
Richneck Shooting
Unsealed search warrants reveal new details on day teacher was shot at Richneck
Taylor was charged about three months after the incident at the Newport News school, in which police say Taylor’s son shot and injured his first-grade teacher, Abby Zwerner.
Taylor appeared in court on Tuesday for a plea hearing to face the felony charge and a misdemeanor count of leaving a firearm in a way that could endanger a child. The Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office moved to nolle prosequi the misdemeanor count — meaning they’re not prosecuting the charge against Taylor, but it could be brought up at a later time.
BREAKING— Deja Taylor, mother of 6y/o who allegedly shot his first grade teacher, Abby Zwerner, at Richneck Elementary has pleaded guilty to felony child neglect.Taylor’s attorney suggested the boy’s father taught him how to shoot a gun. The father hasn’t been charged.@WTKR3 pic.twitter.com/p04D6vmOHH
— Penny Kmitt (@pennylikeacoin) August 15, 2023
The plea hearing also shed light on the 6-year-old’s alleged ongoing behavior issues prior to the shooting. The following statements were made in court:
- In a previous incident, Taylor’s son stole her car keys, which prompted Child Protective Services (CPS) to get involved and establish a plan in which Taylor had to keep her car keys in a lockbox. She said she kept the keys in the lockbox, but her gun was kept in her purse unlocked.
- The boy was previously diagnosed with a defiance disorder and was taking medication for it.
- The boy climbed on a drawer of Taylor's dresser to steal her gun on the morning of the shooting.
- After firing the gun, the child was restrained by a staff member. The child then punched the staff member in the face and said, "F*** you, I shot my teacher."
- The boy was then restrained by police and told them, "I stole [the gun] because I needed to shoot my teacher."
During the hearing, Taylor said very little, and the judge asked her to speak up several times.
WATCH: Attorneys for Zwerner, NNPS board hash out next steps before fall hearing
James Ellenson, Taylor's attorney, said the Commonwealth’s Attorney agreed to not recommend a sentence longer than six months for Taylor. However, the maximum jail time she's facing is five years, and the judge does not have to follow the Commonwealth's Attorney's suggestions.
She was initially supposed to have a bench trial to face the state charges today, but it was changed to a plea hearing. Ellenson told News 3 in April that it was their hope to work out a plea deal with the Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Ellenson also told us that his client has faced intense mental health issues after she had an ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage, which he said played a large factor in the incident at Richneck Elementary.
It's still unclear how the 6-year-old knew how to shoot a gun, but at the plea hearing, prosecutors said the boy had previously played with a firearm at his grandma's house.
Ellenson shared that the boy's father is still in the picture, but didn't elaborate on how.
In court, it was noted that the child is currently working with counselors and improving every day. His grandfather currently has custody of him.
Taylor is also scheduled to appear in court in October to face federal gun and drug charges. She’s already pleaded guilty to the following federal charges: being an unlawful user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm and making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm.
You can watch the full interview with Deja Taylor's lawyer in the video player above.
Richneck Shooting
