An autistic Florida teenager could spend 30 years in prison after pleading “no contest” to assaulting a teacher’s aide in his school.
On Monday, Brendan Depa entered his plea to felony assault. This plea is not an admission of guilt but instead is a way for a defendant to accept a conviction for a crime they committed. When Judge Terence Perkins asked Depa if he understood what was taking place and what an “open plea” was, Depa replied that he did.
In February 2023, Depa made international headlines when he was seen on security video at Matanzas High School in Palm Coast brutally attacking paraprofessional Joan Naydich, beating her unconscious. It took multiple staffers to pull the six-foot-six, 250-pound boy off of Naydich, who sustained various injuries. Early reports suggested that Naydich confiscated Depa’s Nintendo Switch. However, Naydich said shortly after the attack that she never took the device from Depa. She has refused to participate in the legal proceedings against him.
Despite being autistic, Depa faces a maximum of three decades in prison for the beating since he was charged as an adult. This move has sparked outrage, with many, including his adoptive mother, Leanne, calling for him to receive help instead of incarceration. Leanne adopted the teen as an infant and says he has long struggled with school and social settings, which often led to “environmentally induced meltdowns.” Despite therapy, medications, homeschooling for part of his life, and tireless other means of assistance, he still had outbursts. Depa, who was 17 at the time of the assault, was transferred to Flagler County jail once he turned 18 in August.
Sentencing is scheduled for January 31st.
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