Child Neglect Sentencing Delayed For Mom Of Boy, 6, Who Shot Teacher

NEWPORT NEWS, VA — A sentencing hearing for the mother of a 6-year-old boy who shot his teacher at a Virginia elementary school earlier this year has been delayed until December, according to a report by The Associated Press.

Deja Taylor was charged with felony child neglect after her son took her gun from her purse and used it to shoot Richneck Elementary School teacher Abigail Zwerner on Jan. 6, according to police. Taylor pleaded guilty to the charge in August and was scheduled to be sentenced Friday.

On Thursday, a judge delayed the hearing until Dec. 15, according to the AP, granting a request from both prosecutors and defense attorneys. Lawyers asked for the move because a report from the guardian ad litem — a person appointed to represent the child's interests in cases alleging neglect — was not yet available, AP reported.

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While Taylor faces up to five years in prison, prosecutors have recommended she serve up to six months.

Authorities said Taylor's son took the gun to school and pulled it from his backpack before using it to shoot Zwerner.

Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew has repeatedly characterized the shooting as "intentional," saying the boy aimed at Zwerner and fired one round, striking her in the hand and chest. The shot resulted in severe injuries, including a collapsed lung.

Zwerner spent two weeks in the hospital before she was released.

After shooting Zwerner, a teacher who restrained the boy told authorities the child said, "I got my mom's gun last night" and "I shot that b---- dead," according to search warrants.

Taylor was charged in April. As part of a plea deal, a misdemeanor charge of recklessly leaving a loaded firearm to endanger a child was dropped, allowing Taylor to avoid a potential six-year prison sentence, reports said.

In addition to the child neglect charge, Taylor pleaded guilty to federal charges that she lied on a background check to purchase a handgun and used marijuana while in possession of the gun. She is scheduled to be sentenced on those charges in November, the AP reported.

In a May interview with "Good Morning America," Taylor claimed responsibility for the shooting while revealing her son's ADHD diagnosis. Taylor described her son as a "great" but "very energetic" kid, according to the interview.

Taylor also said her son "really liked" Zwerner and stated the boy told her "he felt like he was being ignored" the week of the shooting.

Before Taylor's arrest, Zwener filed a $40 million lawsuit alleging school administrators ignored multiple warnings that the boy posed a threat.

Zwerner also claims that school officials knew the boy "had a history of random violence" at school and home, including that he "strangled and choked" his kindergarten teacher.

Zwerner's lawyers are expected to ask a judge on Friday to allow her lawsuit to proceed with allegations of gross negligence against school administrators. The school board will argue for workers' compensation, which provides up to more than 9 years of pay and a lifetime of medical care for Zwerner's injuries.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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