An autistic Florida student will serve 5 years in jail for beating a highschool worker unconscious final yr. PEOPLE experiences that Brendan Depa assaulted a trainer’s aide on video after she took away his Nintendo Swap.
Particulars On Autistic Teen’s Assault On Instructor Aide
In line with NBC News, the 18-year-old is recognized with autism. He obtained a five-year jail sentence and fifteen years of probation on August 6, per the Seventh Judicial Circuit Courtroom in Flagler County.
In October, Brendan Depa pleaded no contest to aggravated battery prices associated to the February 2023 assault on Joan Naydich at Matanzas Excessive Faculty, in keeping with WKMG.
Per PEOPLE, video proof sees Joan Naydich taking away Brendan’s Nintendo Swap earlier than he charged at her, knocking her to the bottom after which punching and kicking her. The footage additionally reveals Naydich going unconscious as Brendan continues to violently assault her.
An arrest report states that Depa stands six ft six inches tall and weighs 270 kilos. He reportedly punched Joan Naydich fifteen occasions.
Instructor’s Aide & Brendan’s Mother Testified In Courtroom
The decide held a sentencing listening to in Might however delayed his choice, stating he wanted to listen to from extra witnesses. Nevertheless, the state argued that Depa ought to serve important time in jail.
Per WKMG, the girl he attacked additionally spoke in court docket, advocating for jail time.
Naydich testified in court docket that the incident severely impacted her life and psychological well being, explaining that it induced her anxiousness and post-traumatic stress dysfunction, per NBC Information.
“My life won’t ever be what it was earlier than. Brendan Depa’s actions that day has induced me to lose a job that I had for nearly 19 years, lose my monetary safety, lose my medical health insurance,” Naydich mentioned.
A psychologist testified that Brendan acted aggressively and deliberately. Nevertheless, his attorneys argued that he has a number of recognized disabilities and triggers that usually result in outbursts.
WKMG reported that Brendan’s mom, Leann Depa, took the stand throughout his sentencing and shared statements about her son. Leann defined that Depa has a historical past of violent conduct however warned his college about his triggers.
“I had instructed the varsity that being hungry was a set off, that noise was a set off, that being instructed no was a set off, that being corrected in entrance of different individuals was a set off, and electronics was an enormous set off,” Leann Depa testified.
What’s Subsequent For Brendan Depa?
Choose Terrence Perkins ordered the Division of Corrections to evaluate Brendan Depa’s psychological well being and create a care plan whereas prohibiting him from contacting Naydich.
Brendan’s mom, Leann, criticized his sentencing, claiming the court docket punished him due to his race. She additionally argued that his college did not develop a behavioral plan for him.
“I believe he wants assist. Completely. I believe he wants assist. And I believe he wants remedy however I don’t assume he must be put away in a jail the place he’s going to be taken benefit of or harmed,” Leann defined.
Legal professionals representing Leann’s household filed a lawsuit towards the district this yr, accusing college officers of neglecting to offer her son with correct assist, which they declare contributed to the assault, in keeping with a complaint obtained by WFTS-TV of Tampa.
WKMG states Brendan Depa will serve 15 years of supervised probation alongside his jail sentence, with necessary remedy for his disabilities included.
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