Mother Of Boy, 6, Who Shot Teacher Avoids Jail After Failed Drug Tests

NEWPORT NEWS, VA — The mother of a 6-year-old boy who police said shot his teacher at a Newport News elementary school will not be jailed despite failing drug tests and missing treatment dates while awaiting her October sentencing on gun charges, according to reports

Deja Taylor, 26, of Newport News, will remain free on bond after a federal judge made the decision Thursday afternoon, WTKR reported. Prosecutors had asked the judge to revoke her bond after Taylor tested positive for marijuana twice and once for cocaine since her release. She also missed two drug tests and two drug treatment sessions, according to an Associated Press report.

Taylor was previously released from jail ahead of sentencing after pleading guilty to federal charges that she lied on a background check to purchase a handgun and used marijuana while in possession of the gun.

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In addition to federal gun charges, Taylor was charged with felony child neglect after her 6-year-old son took her gun from her purse and used it to shoot Richneck Elementary School teacher Abigail Zwerner on Jan. 6, according to police. Authorities said the boy 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 lung collapse.

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

Taylor pleaded guilty to the child neglect charge in August and will be sentenced on Oct. 27, according to reports. She could serve up to six months in state prison based on prosecutors' recommendation.

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.

Taylor's attorney, James Ellenson, told the AP that Taylor had taken four more drug tests since Aug. 25, and while they've been positive for marijuana, "the levels are decreasing and show that Ms. Taylor is abstaining from this drug," Ellenson wrote.

The judge at Thursday's hearing agreed, and said he was "appreciative" of Taylor's efforts to test clean, WTKR reported. He also said it was Taylor's last chance.

Ellenson added that the one positive result for cocaine "was an aberration and likely caused from her use of marijuana unknowingly laced with cocaine."

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