Close Menu
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Relationships
  • Tips & Tricks
  • Celebrity Kids
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
  • Disclaimer
  • About us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contribute & Advertise with Us
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest Vimeo
GistFestGistFest
  • Entertainment

    Jennifer Garner and John Miller Share Rare PDA at Charity Event

    June 26, 2025

    Megan Thee Stallion Love Island Appearance: How the Rap Star’s Glam Bikini Look Stole the Show

    June 25, 2025

    Sofia Richie and Elliot Grainge Revisit Lavish Wedding Venue Amid Backlash Over Cheating Rumors

    June 24, 2025

    Sarah Jessica Parker Carrie Bradshaw Role: Why She Found Playing the Role So Emotionally Draining

    June 23, 2025

    Exes Megan Fox and MGK Unveil Their Baby Girl’s Name Following ‘Celestial Seed’ Mix-Up

    June 20, 2025
  • Lifestyle

    Jennifer Garner and John Miller Share Rare PDA at Charity Event

    June 26, 2025

    Megan Thee Stallion Love Island Appearance: How the Rap Star’s Glam Bikini Look Stole the Show

    June 25, 2025

    Sofia Richie and Elliot Grainge Revisit Lavish Wedding Venue Amid Backlash Over Cheating Rumors

    June 24, 2025

    Sarah Jessica Parker Carrie Bradshaw Role: Why She Found Playing the Role So Emotionally Draining

    June 23, 2025

    Exes Megan Fox and MGK Unveil Their Baby Girl’s Name Following ‘Celestial Seed’ Mix-Up

    June 20, 2025
  • Relationships

    Jennifer Garner and John Miller Share Rare PDA at Charity Event

    June 26, 2025

    Megan Thee Stallion Love Island Appearance: How the Rap Star’s Glam Bikini Look Stole the Show

    June 25, 2025

    Sofia Richie and Elliot Grainge Revisit Lavish Wedding Venue Amid Backlash Over Cheating Rumors

    June 24, 2025

    Sarah Jessica Parker Carrie Bradshaw Role: Why She Found Playing the Role So Emotionally Draining

    June 23, 2025

    Exes Megan Fox and MGK Unveil Their Baby Girl’s Name Following ‘Celestial Seed’ Mix-Up

    June 20, 2025
  • Tips & Tricks

    Jennifer Garner and John Miller Share Rare PDA at Charity Event

    June 26, 2025

    Megan Thee Stallion Love Island Appearance: How the Rap Star’s Glam Bikini Look Stole the Show

    June 25, 2025

    Sofia Richie and Elliot Grainge Revisit Lavish Wedding Venue Amid Backlash Over Cheating Rumors

    June 24, 2025

    Sarah Jessica Parker Carrie Bradshaw Role: Why She Found Playing the Role So Emotionally Draining

    June 23, 2025

    Exes Megan Fox and MGK Unveil Their Baby Girl’s Name Following ‘Celestial Seed’ Mix-Up

    June 20, 2025
  • Celebrity Kids

    Sofia Richie and Elliot Grainge Revisit Lavish Wedding Venue Amid Backlash Over Cheating Rumors

    June 24, 2025

    Exes Megan Fox and MGK Unveil Their Baby Girl’s Name Following ‘Celestial Seed’ Mix-Up

    June 20, 2025

    DDG Files Restraining Order Against Halle Bailey

    June 10, 2025

    Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s Divorce Timeline

    June 2, 2025

    Meryl Streep’s Daughter Louisa Jacobson Shares Her and Partner, Anna Blundell’s Plans for Valentine’s Day

    February 14, 2025
Subscribe
GistFestGistFest
Home » Mother of Virginia 6-Year-Old Who Shot a Teacher Bags Two Years in Prison for Child Neglect
General

Mother of Virginia 6-Year-Old Who Shot a Teacher Bags Two Years in Prison for Child Neglect

DamilareBy DamilareDecember 20, 20234 Mins Read
Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Reddit Telegram Email
Prison
Source: Pinterest
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email
Prison
Source: Pinterest

The mother of a Virginia first-grade student who shot his teacher with a gun earlier this year is now facing two years in prison. Her crime? Felony child neglect. 

Her name is Deja Taylor. Her six-year-old son on January 6 took her gun with him to school. That experience ended with him shooting and injuring Abby Zwerner. 

Taylor pleaded guilty in August after cutting a deal with state prosecutors. They were to drop the allegations of her endangering her child by leaving a loaded firearm lying around.

The sentencing is a little more extreme than sentencing guidelines suggest. It is even beyond the range of what prosecutors requested. Their recommendation was a six-month sentence as part of the plea deal. 

ALSO READ: Police Argue That Choked Victim “Caused His Own Death”

“Two years is excessive given her mental health issues as well as her being the victim of repeated instances of domestic violence,” James Ellenson, Taylor’s defense attorney, says.

The shooting has many tongues wagging once again about gun violence in schools and about children’s access to firearms. The injured teacher is also suing the Newport News school district, demanding $40 million. 

She claims school officials ignored warnings on the day of the shooting that the child was with a gun in school. Zwerner caught the bullets in the hand and chest. It led to two weeks of hospitalization and multiple surgeries.

Taylor’s son shot Zwerner while she was reading to her first graders at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News.

POLL — Do You Support Stricter Gun Control Laws and Assault Weapon Bans?

There were several warnings to school officials on the day of the shooting that the boy might have a gun, Zwerner’s lawsuit claims. The suit also says the boy had a history of behavioral challenges and violence toward teachers. 

One incident saw him reportedly choke a teacher. His mom, Taylor, is aware of her son’s behavioral and learning disabilities. She has acknowledged his previous suspension from school just before the shooting for breaking Zwerner’s phone.

She said he once needed to attend school alongside a family member. Taylor says she does not know how her son got the gun, but she takes responsibility.

“I am, as a parent, obviously willing to take responsibility for him because he can’t take responsibility,” she said. Taylor made guilty pleas that indicated “her willingness to accept responsibility for her role in this terrible tragedy.” 

Attorneys for Taylor initially claimed the 9 mm handgun he used was usually kept secure. However, there is no evidence it was stored safely. After the shooting, Taylor’s son told police he just had to climb a dresser to access the gun. 

ALSO READ: Atlanta City Officials are Trying to Douse the Massive Referendum Against ‘Cop City’ with an Appeals Court Hearing

“My mom had that gun,” he told officers. “I stole it because I needed to shoot my teacher.”

In the immediate aftermath of the incident, he received treatment at a hospital for mental health issues. Officials have also said he is too young to face prosecution in the shooting.

His mom is a different case, but her attorney hopes that her history of mental issues and drug addiction will be mitigating factors during the sentencing. 

You Might Also Like:

California City Voters Unanimously Elect Black Woman as Mayor for the First Time

Oakland Mayor Calls for Hate Crime Investigation Over Destruction of City Menorah During Hanukkah

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt Removes DEI Offices From State Agencies and Universities

Eastern US Residents Spot Rare Red-Flanked Bluetail Bird for the First Time

Chicago Suburb to Oust Immigrants From Hotel and YMCA in Policy Change

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Previous ArticleCarol Swain Accuses Harvard Of “Redefining” Plagiarism to Protect President Claudine Gay
Next Article Judge Dismisses Cattlemen’s Request to Halt Wolf Reintroduction in Colorado

Related Posts

General

Jessica Alba Paid Tribute to Estranged Husband Cash Warren on First Father’s Day After Their Split

June 19, 2025
Entertainment

Justin Bieber Tweaks Instagram Post After Revealing Argument Amid Hailey’s Vogue Moment

May 26, 2025
Entertainment

Singer Chris Brown Arrested in the UK for an Alleged Assault Incident From 2023

May 20, 2025
Latest Posts

Jennifer Garner and John Miller Share Rare PDA at Charity Event

June 26, 2025

Megan Thee Stallion Love Island Appearance: How the Rap Star’s Glam Bikini Look Stole the Show

June 25, 2025

Sofia Richie and Elliot Grainge Revisit Lavish Wedding Venue Amid Backlash Over Cheating Rumors

June 24, 2025

Sarah Jessica Parker Carrie Bradshaw Role: Why She Found Playing the Role So Emotionally Draining

June 23, 2025

Exes Megan Fox and MGK Unveil Their Baby Girl’s Name Following ‘Celestial Seed’ Mix-Up

June 20, 2025

Jessica Alba Paid Tribute to Estranged Husband Cash Warren on First Father’s Day After Their Split

June 19, 2025

King Charles’ Father’s Day Message 2025: Subtle Nod to Prince Harry Sparks Speculation of Royal Reconciliation

June 18, 2025

Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom Facing Turbulent Times in Their Relationship

June 17, 2025
About
About

We’re a news, entertainment and lifestyle hub that is dedicated to giving you quality insight on the latest lifestyle news, movie and TV news, celebrity news and lots more.

Contact us: info@gistfest.com

MOST POPULAR

Alina Nikitina: Everything We Know About the Russian Model

October 4, 2023

Jennifer Rauchet: Inside the Life of Pete Hegseth’s Wife

August 30, 2023

Jacob’s Ladder Piercing: All You Need To Know

July 21, 2023

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox!

Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
  • Disclaimer
  • About us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contribute & Advertise with Us
© 2025 GistFest. All Rights Reserved.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.