On federal charges, the mother of a 6-year-old boy accused of killing his first-grade teacher during class in Newport News, Virginia, was sentenced to 21 months in jail.
Following the January shooting at Richneck Elementary School, Deja Taylor was charged with using marijuana while in possession of a firearm and making a false statement about her drug use during the purchase of the pistol, both crimes. In June, she pleaded guilty to the allegations.
Federal prosecutors had requested a sentence of 21 months. She risked up to 25 years in prison if convicted.
According to police, on January 6, the 6-year-old youngster carried a gun into his classroom and purposely fired and wounded his teacher, Abby Zwerner. Zwerner had a bullet wound that went through her hand and into her chest.
Taylor purchased the pistol used in the shooting in July 2022, according to federal authorities. According to prosecutors, ATF agents never discovered a lockbox, a trigger lock, or a key for the pistol.
During the sentence hearing, Zwerner testified about the last impact of the shooting.
“Not only do I bear physical scars from the shooting that will remain with me forever, I contend daily with deep, psychological scars that plague me during most waking moments and invade my dreams,” she said.
She said she has undergone five surgeries and regular intensive physical therapy to restore motion in her hand.
“This permanent damage should never have been allowed to happen to me and would not have happened if not for the defendant’s actions or lack thereof,” she said.
Taylor’s pistol was also used in a second shooting in the weeks preceding the classroom shooting, according to authorities. Taylor’s unreturned U-Haul truck was discovered with the passenger rear window damaged, and text conversations between Taylor and her son’s father suggested she shot at her son’s father after seeing his girlfriend, according to prosecutors.
No one was injured and police were not called, prosecutors said.
“Not once, but twice someone nearly lost their lives because of Taylor’s offenses of conviction,” prosecutors said in court filings.
Prosecutors also said in the filings that Taylor was a “marijuana abuser, whose chronic, persistent and, indeed, life-affecting abuse extends this case far beyond any occasional and/or recreational use.”
It is not legal to possess marijuana while possessing a gun, according to federal laws.
Taylor’s attorney said in a statement to ABC News that the defendant is “extremely remorseful and contrite and takes full responsibility for her actions.”
“At no time did she intend for any of these consequences to occur, especially the tragic shooting of the wonderful teacher at the elementary school,” the attorney, Gene Rossi, said. “We are hopeful that when she serves her sentence, and when she gets out, she gets the absolutely needed treatment for her addiction, her disease and the challenges she has in her life. I am confident that she is going to have a wonderful rebound in the near future.”
Taylor was also indicted on state charges in connection with the shooting.
In August, she pleaded guilty to child neglect and has yet to be sentenced. A misdemeanor allegation of endangering a child through irresponsible firearm storage was withdrawn.
Zwerner filed a $40 million negligence lawsuit against her school district. The school board’s lawyers attempted to reject her suit, claiming that her injuries were covered by the state’s worker’s compensation legislation. A judge ruled earlier this month that the lawsuit may proceed.