The mother of 6-year-old boy who took a firearm to his Virginia elementary school and fired his teacher this year has been charged with federal gun crimes.
Deja Taylor, 25 years old, was charged in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia with two counts: unlawful use of a controlled drug in possession of firearms and false statements made during the purchase of firearms.
Howard Gwynn, Newport News Commonwealth Attorney, said that she was indicted by a Newport News Grand Jury in April on charges of felony neglect of a child and misdemeanor recklessly leaving a firearm loaded so as to put a child in danger.
Taylor has apologized to the teacher , and stated that she was responsible for the access of her son to the handgun. She maintains however that she is not sure exactly how it came to be. Trial is set for August 15.
James Ellenson, Taylor’s lawyer, announced Monday that Taylor will plead guilty in accordance with the agreement reached by prosecutors to federal charges.
He said that the terms of the agreement are likely to come out within two weeks when Taylor enters his plea.
According to the federal charges, Taylor lied when she signed an official federal document required last year at the time she bought a Taurus 9mm handgun.
The filing states that “she was aware at the time of her illegal use of marijuana.”
Virginia does not allow marijuana for non-medical users and medical patients over 21 years old.
The boy’s case will not be prosecuted, according to the prosecutor.
Abigail Zwerner, a first-grade student at Richneck Elementary in Newport News was shot on Jan. 6,by a fellow student. She led a class of 20 students safely to safety despite being seriously injured in both her chest and left hand.
She said that school officials were aware of at least three warnings before the shooting that the 6-year old boy was suspected to be in possession of a firearm and that he had exhibited troubling behaviors.
Zwerner suffered a critical injury. She filed a lawsuit for $40 million claiming that school administrators ignored numerous warnings about the boy’s gun and his imminent threat.
Newport News Public Schools has sought to dismiss the lawsuit and stated that the teacher’s claim would be better handled as a workers’ compensation matter.
Ellenson, Taylor’s attorney, described the shooting as “a tragedy that affected all involved, but especially Abby Zwerner, a teacher to whom we wish complete recovery.”
Lindsey Pipia contributed.
