Florida Teen Sentenced to Five Years for Assaulting Teacher's Aide Over Nintendo Switch

A Florida teenager, Brendan Depa, was sentenced to five years in prison on Tuesday after pleading no contest to felony aggravated battery for violently attacking his high school teacher's aide, Joan Naydich. The incident, which occurred last year, involved Depa delivering multiple punches to Naydich while she was unconscious, an act captured on surveillance footage that has since gained widespread attention. Although he faced a potential maximum sentence of 30 years, the court decided on a five-year term, after which he will be placed in a group home. Depa's defense attorney argued for a probation-only sentence, citing the teen's autism spectrum disorder and his age at the time of the attack. However, Assistant State Attorney Melissa Clark emphasized the severity of the assault, noting that Depa punched Naydich 15 times while she was incapacitated. The brutality of the attack played a significant role in the court's decision to impose a prison sentence. Following the sentencing, Depa's mother expressed her concerns, claiming that the school district failed to provide adequate support for her son. She argued that the punishment was influenced by factors such as his race, size, and disability, asserting that he requires treatment rather than incarceration. In response to the incident, Depa has filed a lawsuit against the school district, alleging negligence in addressing his behavioral issues and claiming that their failures have drastically altered his life trajectory.