A viral video captured a shocking incident in which a Florida teacher, Joan Naydich, was viciously attacked by a special needs student, Brendan Depa. At the time of the incident, Depa was 17 years old, and the video showed him brutally assaulting the teacher at Matanzas High School on February 21. The arrest report revealed that his anger was triggered by Naydich taking away his Nintendo Switch device, which led him to threaten to “beat her up” every time she intervened with his gaming.
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Brendan Depa, who is considered a special needs student and resides in a group home, was subsequently charged with felony aggravated battery with bodily harm. The arrest and legal proceedings brought to light the severity of the incident.
The 6-foot-6, 270-pound autistic teenager, charged as an adult, faces up to 30 years in prison for the first-degree felony charge of aggravated battery. Despite the potential consequences he faces, Joan Naydich has chosen not to advocate for a lighter sentence for Depa.
It’s reported that Brendan Depa is planning to plead guilty in an attempt to avoid a trial. If the judge decides to treat him as a youth offender, he may receive a probationary sentence rather than a lengthy prison term. This legal route may provide an opportunity for rehabilitation and support for the young man.
Prior to the incident involving Naydich, Brendan Depa had faced three previous battery-related arrests, indicating a history of violent behavior.
Who is Joan Naydich?
The assault on Naydich left her unconscious, and Depa even made threats to kill her during his arrest.
In response to the incident, Joan Naydich’s family and friends initiated a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for her medical expenses and basic living costs. The attack highlighted the challenging situations that educators and students can face in school environments and the importance of addressing the needs of special needs students while ensuring the safety and well-being of all individuals involved.
