The boy shot his first-grade teacher, Abigail Zwerner, at Richneck Elementary School in the city of Newport News in US, in January. (facebook.com/AbbyZwerner)
The mother of a 6-year old boy who shot and injured his teacher in Virginia pleaded guilty to a charge of felony child neglect, on Tuesday.
The boy shot his first-grade teacher, Abigail Zwerner, at Richneck Elementary School in the city of Newport News in US, in January.
His mother, Deja Taylor (26-year old), was then charged for felony child neglect and endangering a child by reckless storage of a firearm, in April.
And the boy was not charged after leaving his teacher, Abigail Zwerner, with “life-threatening” injuries. The teacher was wounded in her hand and chest.
Ms. Taylor could serve up to six months in state prison if convicted.
The charge for “endangering a child by reckless storage of a firearm” was dropped on Tuesday since Ms. Taylor pleaded guilty. Her sentencing has been scheduled for 27 October.
“There were other persons who should be held accountable and while that does not diminish her role, that, along with her mental state following several miscarriages, as well as her being a victim of domestic abuse are mitigating factors which we hope the court will take into account at sentencing”, said Ms. Taylor”s lawyer James Ellenson to ABC News.
“The student brought the gun into her classroom and shot intentionally to wound her”, said the Police to ABC News.
The student was using a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun for shooting his teacher, the police added.
Ms. Taylor took the complete responsibility for her child”s act even though it is linked with his ADHD diagnosis.
ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood. Children with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors, or be overly active.
“I am, as a parent, obviously willing to take responsibility for him because he can”t take responsibility” for himself, said Ms. Taylor.
The fire arm was usually stored in a personal wallet with a trigger lock in place or in a lockbox as mentioned by Ms. Taylor. But federal prosecutors said that a lockbox wasn”t found, nor was a key or trigger lock.
“The boy will not be charged”, they added citing concerns of his competency given his age.
