Update: Mother of 6-Year-Old Boy Who Shot Virginia Teacher Pleads Guilty to Felony Child Neglect

Deja Nicole Taylor, the mother of the 6-year-old shooter at Richneck Elementary School, is led outside by her grandfather and attorney.Photo byStephen M. Katz/The Virginian-Pilot

In a Virginia court, Deja Taylor, the 26-year-old mother of a 6-year-old student accused of purposefully shooting his first-grade teacher, entered a guilty plea in connection with the shooting incident in January. She was facing felony child negligence charges, which carried a possible state jail penalty of up to six months, according to the Newport News Commonwealth's Attorney. The judge's discretion could result in a sentence that is longer than the suggested guideline when she sentences the defendant on October 27.

Taylor was spared a potential six-year jail sentence by having a separate charge—a misdemeanor for negligently leaving a loaded handgun threatening a child—dropped as part of a plea deal. Taylor continues to express her sense of guilt and regret, according to the family's attorney James Ellenson. Ellenson thinks incarceration might not be the best result for her.

The conclusion of the case

It attracted national attention for its implications for school safety and gun violence, entered a new chapter with the court hearing in Newport News. The superintendent and an assistant principal of the school were fired as a result of the incident.

The Newport News teacher shot at Richneck Elementary School, Abigail Zwerner, suffered severe wounds but survived.

The young child, identified only by his initials, acquired the 9 mm semi-automatic handgun used in the shooting, according to newly released court documents. Taylor thought the gun was in her purse on her bedroom dresser on January 6, the day of the shooting, with the trigger lock engaged. She noted that the lock's key was hidden under the bed in her bedroom.

The gun was legally purchased, according to Newport News police, but they were also looking into whether it was properly secured, as the child's family had indicated. Although Taylor said that the rifle was secured with a trigger lock and stored on a high closet shelf, it is still unclear how the toddler managed to have access to the firearm.

Taylor entered a guilty plea and admitted to using marijuana while in possession of a handgun in federal court in June. For this federal felony, she may receive a sentence of 18 to 24 months in jail in October.

In connection with the shooting inquiry, a court-authorized search of her residence turned up drugs. The use of marijuana while in the presence of a firearm is against the law in the US. Taylor's phone was reportedly searched by the prosecution, and numerous texts were found that showed she frequently used marijuana. Additionally, no lockbox or trigger lock was discovered inside the homes, raising concerns about the security of the firearm's storage.

The boy's parents were supposed to be with him every day as part of a care plan at the school, but they weren't there on the day of the shooting. According to court records, investigators discovered the firearm and ammunition shells on the classroom floor. Zwerner needed aid from staff members after suffering injuries to her upper chest and left hand.

As kids came in from recess, another teacher recalled hearing a gunshot, then seeing Zwerner emerge injured from the classroom. Once inside, the teacher noticed the 6-year-old sitting near his desk and held him until the cops arrived.

During Taylor's arrest, her son allegedly behaved aggressively and said things like "---- you, I shot my teacher," according to the prosecution. He claimed to have shot his teacher while using his mother's gun.

According to the child's family, he has an "acute disability" and has been receiving the required care thanks to a court-ordered temporary detention at a hospital. Currently, Taylor's grandfather is in charge of looking after him. Due to the 6-year-old's inability to comprehend the judicial system or effectively help a lawyer at such a young age, prosecutors chose not to charge him in March.

Zwerner filed a lawsuit against the school for $40 million, claiming administrators disregarded several warnings from staff and students who thought the child presented a serious threat with a gun due to his violent past. Despite acknowledging its willingness to work with authorities and dedication to the welfare of kids and employees, Newport News Public Schools chose not to comment on any pending legal actions.

What are Your Thoughts?

Should the Mother be sentenced to more than 6 months or receive no time at all? And Should the Teacher be awarded the lawsuit?

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