Sentencing for Violent Student Attack
Brendan Depa, an 18-year-old from Florida, has been sentenced to five years in prison for a brutal attack on a high school paraprofessional over a Nintendo Switch.
The incident occurred in February 2023 at Matanzas High School in Palm Coast, Florida.
The Attack and Its Aftermath
Security footage showed Depa, who stands 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 270 pounds, sprinting toward the female educator, Joan Naydich, and shoving her to the floor. He then repeatedly stomped on the unconscious Naydich and punched her 15 times before staff members were able to remove him.
Depa’s Disabilities and the School’s Role
Depa, who has autism spectrum disorder, was initially charged with felony aggravated battery. His adoptive mother, Leanne Depa, argued that her son needed help and treatment, not prison, and blamed the school for not properly handling his disabilities.
She claimed the school was aware of his triggers, including hunger, noise, and electronics, but failed to address them.
The Sentence and Victim’s Impact
Despite pleas from Depa’s mother and defense attorney, Circuit Judge Terence Perkins sentenced the teen to five years in state prison, followed by 15 years of probation.
Naydich, who suffered physical and emotional trauma from the attack, said it has caused her to lose her job of nearly 19 years, her financial security, and her health insurance, adding that her “life will never be what it was before.”
Addressing Violence in Schools
The case highlights the ongoing issue of student violence in schools and the need for better support and resources for both students with disabilities and the educators who work with them.
As schools continue to grapple with these challenges, the sentencing of Brendan Depa serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of such attacks and the importance of prioritizing the safety and well-being of all members of the school community.
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