The mother of a first-grade student in Virginia, whose child accidentally shot a teacher in January, has been sentenced to two years in prison for felony child neglect.
Deja Taylor’s son, who was six years old at the time, brought his mother’s gun to school on January 6, resulting in the accidental shooting and injury of Abby Zwerner. In August, Taylor pleaded guilty in a deal with state prosecutors, leading to the dropping of allegations that she endangered her child by recklessly leaving a loaded firearm in their home.
The sentencing, which exceeds what the guidelines recommend and the prosecutors requested, has sparked controversy. Prosecutors initially recommended a six-month sentence as part of the plea deal. Taylor had previously been sentenced to 21 months in separate federal charges.
James Ellenson, Taylor’s defense attorney, expressed concerns about the severity of the sentence, citing Taylor’s mental health issues and her history as a victim of domestic violence. He stated, “Two years is excessive given her mental health issues as well as her being the victim of repeated instances of domestic violence.”
The incident, which drew national attention, ignited discussions on gun violence in schools and the issue of children’s access to firearms. The injured teacher, Abby Zwerner, is also pursuing legal action against the Newport News school district, seeking $40 million in damages. Zwerner alleges that school officials ignored warnings on the day of the shooting about the child bringing a gun to school. Zwerner suffered injuries to her hand and chest, requiring hospitalization for two weeks and multiple surgeries.
Following the legal proceedings, Taylor’s son is now in the custody of a relative. The case has highlighted the broader challenges associated with firearm safety, particularly concerning children, and has prompted calls for increased measures to prevent such incidents in educational settings.