Deja Taylor: Mother of 6-year-old boy who shot his elementary school teacher Abigail Zwerner to turn herself in
NEWPORT NEWS, VIRGINIA: The mother of the 6-year-old boy who shot his teacher Abigail Zwerner at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia, on January 6 has agreed to turn herself to the authorities by the end of the week under an agreement with prosecutors. Deja Nicole Taylor, 25, has been charged with felony child neglect and a misdemeanor charge of recklessly leaving a firearm so as to endanger a child.
She has no prior criminal record and her lawyer, James Ellenson, said she has cooperated from the first day of the incident. “Most criminal prosecutions are adversarial in nature, but we will make our best efforts so that these proceedings will be more collaborative than most,” said Ellenson as per Daily Press.
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If convicted, Taylor faces up to six years behind bars
Ellenson added that he hopes his relationship developed over four decades as a lawyer will lead to a satisfactory result for all parties. He emphasized on the importance of the continued health and well-being of all persons involved in the incident, including the teacher and Taylor’s son.
Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew stated the boy used his mother’s handgun, a Taurus 9mm, to shoot his first-grade teacher, Abby Zwerner, in a classroom on January 6. Taylor legally purchased the firearm in York County, and the boy brought it to school in his backpack. If convicted of the charges, Taylor faces up to six years behind bars.
A Newport News grand jury indicted Taylor on a felony child neglect count and a misdemeanor charge of “allowing access to firearms by children” on Monday. For the latter charge, she is accused of recklessly leaving a loaded, unsecured firearm in such a manner as to endanger the life or limb of any child under the age of 14. Prosecutors argue that her “willful act of omission” in caring for her son showed “a reckless disregard for human life.”
Taylor's prosecutor says she can be released on a $5,000 bond with surety
After Taylor turns herself in this week, prosecutors have recommended she be released on a $5,000 bond with surety. If a Newport News magistrate accepts that agreement, Taylor could remain free by paying only 10% of the total amount— $500 — to a bail bondsman, or she could post $5,000 in property to back her promise to return for future hearings.
Ellenson said Taylor strongly maintains that she kept the gun secured by a trigger lock and that it was stored on the top shelf of a bedroom closet out of the child’s reach. He added that she has “no idea” how the boy gained access to the gun on the day of the shooting.