Teen Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Attack on Teacher’s Assistant

Brendan Depa Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Attack on Teacher’s Assistant

In a dramatic courtroom scene, Brendan Depa, now 18, threw his head back as a judge sentenced him to five years in a Florida state prison for a brutal attack on a teacher’s assistant back in 2023. The victim, Joan Naydich, testified that Depa left her with five broken ribs, a severe concussion, and hearing loss during the assault.

The incident occurred after Naydich confiscated Depa’s Nintendo switch in a special needs classroom where he was a student diagnosed with autism and behavioral issues. According to witnesses, Depa’s behavior had been escalating over time, leading to the violent outburst that ultimately landed him in court.

Despite his mother’s pleas for leniency, Judge Terence Perkins ruled that Depa showed no remorse for his actions and sentenced him to prison, along with a mental health assessment to determine a care plan for him. Depa’s adoptive mother, Leanne Depa, argued that her son’s mental health issues and disabilities should have been taken into consideration during sentencing.

Naydich, the victim of the attack, expressed the lasting impact of the incident on her life, stating that she lost her job of nearly 19 years, financial security, and health insurance as a result of the assault. Depa’s mother is now seeking to appeal his case, but for now, the teenager will serve his prison sentence followed by 15 years of probation.