Three months after a 6-year-old in Virginia shot his teacher, the young child’s mother is officially facing legal action.
The Mother, Deja Taylor, Has Been Hit With Two Charges
According to a news release from Commonwealth’s Attorney Howard Gwynn, the child’s mother—Deja Taylor—has been hit with two charges: felony child neglect and “misdemeanor recklessly leaving a loaded firearm so as to endanger a child.”
While Gwynn says the case facts “support these charges,” he notes that authorities are still investigating the matter.
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Additionally, the attorney points out that a jury will explore whether “additional charges against additional persons” can be pursued.
“The safety and security of Newport News students is of utmost importance. The Special Grand Jury will investigate to determine whether additional charges against additional persons are justified by the facts and the law. If the Special Grand Jury determines that additional persons are criminally responsible under the law, it can return additional indictments.”
However, as The Shade Room previously reported, it’s important to reiterate that the 6-year-old will not face any charges. The family also noted that the child has an “acute disability,” as authorities pointed out that the shooting was “intentional.”
The Teacher Has Filed A $40M Lawsuit Against School Administrators
This significant development comes just over three months after the 6-year-old shot Abigail Zwerner, 25, at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News. The teacher was struck while attempting to confiscate a 9mm pistol from the child, and she was hospitalized for two weeks.
RELATED: VA Teacher Struck By 6-Year-Old Recalls Springing Into Action Despite ‘Serious’ Injury: ‘I Just Wanted To Get My Babies Out’
In the wake of the incident, CNN reports that Zwerner has filed a lawsuit against school administrators.
Despite being aware of the child’s “history of random violence,” she says administrators failed to protect her adequately. Zwerner also notes that administrators ignored “at least three separate warnings from teachers and staff that students had seen the firearm.”
She’s seeking $40 million in damages, and the lawsuit was freshly filed earlier this month.
There are no further updates to the situation at this time.
