Virginia Mother Pleads Guilty in Child's School Shooting Case
Deja Nicole Taylor faces up to five years in prison for child neglect after her 6-year-old son shot his teacher, sparking a nationwide debate on gun safety and parental responsibility.
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NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — In a shocking case that has drawn national attention, Deja Nicole Taylor, 26, the mother of a 6-year-old boy who shot his teacher with her gun, pleaded guilty to child neglect on Tuesday.
The incident occurred on January 6th at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia, when the first-grader shot his teacher, Abigail Zwerner, in her left hand and upper torso. The boy later bragged about the act, saying, "I shot that bitch dead." Zwerner suffered a collapsed lung and other severe injuries and has since filed a $40 million lawsuit against the school.
Taylor's guilty plea to a class 6 felony charge of child neglect carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. As part of the plea deal, prosecutors agreed to drop a misdemeanor charge of reckless storage of a firearm. Sentencing is scheduled for October 27th, and Circuit Judge Christopher Papile has the authority to give the maximum sentence.
Taylor has also pleaded guilty in federal court to using marijuana while owning a firearm and lying on a federal background check form, with sentencing on those charges scheduled for October 18th.
The case has raised serious questions about gun safety, child access to firearms, and parental responsibility. Taylor's defense attorney, James Ellenson, sought a deal in which Taylor would plead guilty to a misdemeanor and not a felony, but prosecutors held firm on the child neglect count.
Ellenson has said Taylor believed her gun was secured on a high closet shelf with a trigger lock, adding that it was unclear how her son got ahold of it. The attorney has also highlighted Taylor's mental health issues and her son's "extreme emotional issues."
Newport News Commonwealth's Attorney Howard Gwynn said in a statement, "The safety of our schools is of paramount importance, and we will continue to support the victims as they work through the effects of this incident."
The incident has led to a broader conversation about school safety, parental responsibility, and the need for comprehensive support systems for children and families.
The guilty plea of Deja Nicole Taylor in connection with her son's shocking act serves as a stark reminder of the complex issues surrounding gun safety, child access to firearms, and parents' legal and ethical responsibilities. The case continues to resonate with communities nationwide, calling for reflection, empathy, and action.
