Florida teacher brutally beaten by a special needs student in a viral video refused to help commute the teen’s sentence
Brendan Depa was 17 when he was arrested after a video showed him brutally attacking Joan Naydich at Matanzas High School.
The young man stated that he was sorry that Naydich took his Nintendo Switch device from him.
JUST IN: The high school teacher who was beaten unconscious by a 270 pound student after she told him to get off of his Nintendo, is reportedly refusing to help the defense lighten the sentence for the teen.
Good for her 🔥
The student, Brendan Depa, is facing up to a whopping… pic.twitter.com/VYq6iXm38X
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) October 25, 2023
A viral video captured a shocking incident in which Florida teacher Joan Naydich was brutally attacked by special needs student Brendan Depa. Depa was 17 years old at the time of the incident, and the video showed him brutally attacking a teacher at Matanzas High School on February 21. The arrest report revealed that his anger was triggered by Naydich taking his Nintendo Switch device. Threatening to “beat” him every time he interfered with his play.
Brendan Depa, who was admitted as a student with special needs and lived in a group home, was later charged with aggravated battery involving bodily harm. The arrest and legal proceedings revealed the seriousness of the incident.
The 6-foot-1, 270-pound autistic teenager charged as an adult faces up to 30 years in prison for first-degree aggravated battery. Despite the potential consequences she faced, Joan Naydich chose not to advocate for a lighter sentence for Depa.
Brendan Depa reportedly planned to plead guilty in an attempt to avoid trial. If the judge decides to treat him as a youth offender, he could be given a probationary sentence instead of a long prison sentence. This legal pathway can provide the young man with an opportunity for rehabilitation and support.
Prior to the incident involving Naydich, Brendan Depa had previously faced three battery-related arrests, indicating a history of violent behavior.
More About Joan Naydich
The attack on Naydich left him unconscious and Depa even threatened to kill him during his arrest.
In response to the incident, family and friends of Joan Naydich started a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for her medical expenses and basic living expenses. The attack highlighted the challenging situations educators and students can face in school environments and the importance of meeting the needs of students with special needs while ensuring the safety and well-being of all individuals involved.
