(Photo by Bernd Wüstneck/picture alliance via Getty Images)
An autistic Florida student will serve five years in prison for beating a high school employee unconscious last year. PEOPLE reports that Brendan Depa assaulted a teacher’s aide on video after she took away his Nintendo Switch.
According to NBC News, the 18-year-old is diagnosed with autism. He received a five-year prison sentence and fifteen years of probation on August 6, per the Seventh Judicial Circuit Court in Flagler County.
In October, Brendan Depa pleaded no contest to aggravated battery charges related to the February 2023 attack on Joan Naydich at Matanzas High School, according to WKMG.
Per PEOPLE, video evidence sees Joan Naydich taking away Brendan’s Nintendo Switch before he charged at her, knocking her to the ground and then punching and kicking her. The footage also shows Naydich going unconscious as Brendan continues to violently assault her.
An arrest report states that Depa stands six feet six inches tall and weighs 270 pounds. He reportedly punched Joan Naydich fifteen times.
The judge held a sentencing hearing in May but delayed his decision, stating he needed to hear from more witnesses. However, the state argued that Depa should serve significant time in prison.
Per WKMG, the woman he attacked also spoke in court, advocating for jail time.
Naydich testified in court that the incident severely impacted her life and mental health, explaining that it caused her anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder, per NBC News.
“My life will never be what it was before. Brendan Depa’s actions that day has caused me to lose a job that I had for almost 19 years, lose my financial security, lose my health insurance,” Naydich said.
A psychologist testified that Brendan acted aggressively and intentionally. However, his attorneys argued that he has several known disabilities and triggers that often lead to outbursts.
WKMG reported that Brendan’s mother, Leann Depa, took the stand during his sentencing and shared statements about her son. Leann explained that Depa has a history of violent behavior but warned his school about his triggers.
“I had told the school that being hungry was a trigger, that noise was a trigger, that being told no was a trigger, that being corrected in front of other people was a trigger, and electronics was a huge trigger,” Leann Depa testified.
Judge Terrence Perkins ordered the Department of Corrections to assess Brendan Depa’s mental health and create a care plan while prohibiting him from contacting Naydich.
Brendan’s mother, Leann, criticized his sentencing, claiming the court punished him because of his race. She also argued that his school failed to develop a behavioral plan for him.
“I think he needs help. Absolutely. I think he needs help. And I think he needs treatment but I don’t think he needs to be put away in a prison where he’s going to be taken advantage of or harmed,” Leann explained.
Lawyers representing Leann’s family filed a lawsuit against the district this year, accusing school officials of neglecting to provide her son with proper support, which they claim contributed to the assault, according to a complaint obtained by WFTS-TV of Tampa.
WKMG states Brendan Depa will serve 15 years of supervised probation alongside his prison sentence, with mandatory treatment for his disabilities included.
