Autistic Teen Brendan Depa Sentenced to Five Years for Assault on Teacher’s Aide

Brendan Depa, the severely autistic Florida teenager whose attack on teacher’s aide Joan Naydich went viral last year, was sentenced on Tuesday to five years in state prison, followed by 15 years of probation.

Circuit Judge Terrence Perkins delivered the sentence in Flagler County Court, acknowledging Depa’s disabilities but condemning the February 21, 2023 assault as senselessly violent. The attack left Naydich with broken ribs.

State prosecutors tried Depa, who was 17 at the time, as an adult and charged him with aggravated battery on an educational employee.

Wear the cultureShop Baller Merch →