A Florida high school student, Brendan Depa, has pleaded no contest in court for violently attacking a teacher’s aide over the confiscation of his Nintendo Switch. Depa, who is now 18 and being charged as an adult, could face up to 30 years in prison for first-degree felony aggravated battery on an elected official or education employee. The incident occurred at Matanzas High School in Palm Coast and was caught on video, gaining viral attention earlier this year.
According to reports, Depa, who is considered a special needs student and is autistic, is currently being held in the Flagler County Jail on a $1 million bond. His lawyer, Kurt Teifke, stated that his client is doing well. The teacher’s aide, Joan Naydich, was granted a permanent injunction for protection against repeat violence from Depa after suffering two broken ribs and multiple bruises as a result of the attack.
Circuit Judge Terence Perkins has scheduled Depa’s sentencing hearing for January 31. The open plea to the court indicates that no agreement has been reached between Depa’s defense attorney and the prosecutors regarding the possible sentence. Depa has prior misdemeanor battery charges from 2019, but completed a program within the Department of Juvenile Justice for those charges.
Surveillance footage released by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office shows the 6-foot-6, 270-pound student running up to the teacher’s aide, pushing her to the ground, and then repeatedly punching and kicking her. The teacher’s aide remained on the ground for several minutes before receiving assistance from others.
The incident has sparked concerns about the safety of teachers and the handling of special needs students in schools. The severity of the attack and the potential consequences for Depa highlight the importance of addressing such incidents and ensuring the well-being of both students and staff in educational settings.
