Matanzas student accused of attacking teacher's aide over Nintendo Switch held on $1 million bail
The charges against a Matanzas High School student accused of attacking a teacher's aide over a video game have been upgraded to adult court where he now faces a felony, according to court records.
Brendan J. Depa, 17, was charged with aggravated battery on a school board employee, a first-degree felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison. The News-Journal is naming Depa because he was charged as an adult.
The incident occurred on Feb. 21 at the high school in Palm Coast where the woman, identified as Joan Naydich, works as a paraprofessional, according to a charging affidavit. A paraprofessional is assigned to students with individual education plans, according to the district.
What happens next?:How Flagler County School District is handling student's violent attack on teacher's aide
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“The student stated that he was upset because the victim took his Nintendo Switch away from him during class,” according to the release.
The student was described as 6 feet, 6 inches tall and weighing 270 pounds, according to a charging affidavit.
Matanzas High School video
School surveillance video shows the student walking fast toward Naydich, knocking her to the floor, which knocked her unconscious, according to the Flagler County Sheriff's Office.
The video showed the student, identified as Depa, kicking and punching an unconscious Naydich several times in the back and head. Depa struck her in the back and the back of the head about 15 times, the affidavit stated.
Other people rushed in to help Naydich who could not protect herself, the release stated.
She was taken to a hospital for treatment.
According to a statement on a GoFundMe account set up for Naydich, she has since been released from the hospital and is recovering at home.
"This incident has reached areas of the world I never thought possible, with love and support pouring in from all," the statement reads. "As her daughter, it’s heartwarming to see the community rally behind her recovery, near and far. Please keep my mom and brother in your thoughts during this time.”
Following the attack, Depa asked what was going to happen to him and whether he'd be allowed to return to his group home, according to a charging affidavit. When a deputy responded he did not have an answer, Depa began kicking a desk and a computer system, causing a monitor to fall to the floor, the affidavit stated.
As Depa was led away in handcuffs he passed by where medical personnel were treating Naydich. Depa started to spit toward Naydich and then yelled he would kill her, according to the charging affidavit and body camera video.
He's being held on $1 million bail at the Flagler County Jail, according to the sheriff's office.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Matanzas High School attack: Florida student facing felony charge
