Florida Teacher Attacked by Student Now Relies on Donations During Unpaid Leave
OAN’s James Meyers
8:33 AM – Thursday, November 16, 2023
A Florida teacher who was brutally attacked by a student over a video game console is now seeking justice and relying on donations to survive.
“Everybody that knows me or knew me [before the attack] knows that I’m a totally different person now,” Joan Naydich told Fox 35. “My whole life was just turned upside down.”
This comes after then 17-year-old and standing 6 feet 6, Brendan Depa assaulted Naydich at Matanzas High School in February, which left her with five broken ribs, hearing loss and a severe concussion.
The teacher has been outspoken about her assault and has asked for Depa to be sentenced to a maximum of 30 years behind bars.
Naydich has said her speech has slowed down and continues to suffer from ongoing cognitive problems.
“Unfortunately, a lot of my injuries that are not visible I’m going to have for the rest of my life,” she said.
The video of the attack is graphic. Depa is seen throwing the teacher to the ground and beating her unconsciously as she lies on the ground, motionless. She has said that she has not watched the video and has no intention of doing so.
Naydich also said she is struggling to resolve her workers’ compensation case and has been forgotten by the Flagler County School District since the attack.
Additionally, the teacher returned to school in August under a different title but was put on unpaid leave by the school, according to Fox 35.
Meanwhile, Naydich is relying on donations with a GoFundMe being launched after the attack has raised $106,000.
Depa pleaded guilty to the attack in October, and Naydich has not helped his defense seek a lighter sentencing.
The teacher has also said she is willing to take the stand to make sure Depa receives the maximum sentence.
The next hearing is scheduled for January, and will include testimony from both the prosecution and the defense.
Depa was initially charged as a juvenile but now that he is 18 his charges have been upgraded.
He also had three prior battery arrests before the attack on Naydich occurred.
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Florida Teacher Seeks Justice and Support After Brutal Attack
A Florida teacher is seeking justice and relying on donations to survive after being brutally attacked by a student over a video game console. The incident occurred at Matanzas High School in February, when the then 17-year-old student, Brendan Depa, assaulted Joan Naydich, leaving her with five broken ribs, hearing loss, and a severe concussion.
Joan Naydich has been outspoken about her assault and has called for Depa to be sentenced to a maximum of 30 years behind bars. She has also revealed that her speech has slowed down and that she continues to suffer from ongoing cognitive problems. “Unfortunately, a lot of my injuries that are not visible I’m going to have for the rest of my life,” she said.
The video of the attack is graphic, showing Depa throwing Naydich to the ground and beating her unconscious as she lies motionless. Naydich has chosen not to watch the video and has no intention of doing so. She has also expressed her struggle to resolve her workers’ compensation case and has claimed to have been forgotten by the Flagler County School District since the attack.
Despite returning to school in August under a different title, Naydich was put on unpaid leave by the school. This has added to her financial burden, leading her to rely on donations. A GoFundMe campaign that was launched after the attack has raised $106,000 so far.
In October, Depa pleaded guilty to the attack, and Naydich has not helped his defense seek a lighter sentencing. She is willing to take the stand to ensure that Depa receives the maximum sentence. The next hearing is scheduled for January and will include testimony from both the prosecution and the defense.
It is worth noting that Depa had three prior battery arrests before the attack on Naydich occurred. It is alarming that such a violent individual had not been properly addressed before this incident.
The case of Joan Naydich raises important questions about the safety of teachers in schools and the responsibility of the educational institutions to provide adequate support to their staff members. The brutal attack she suffered highlights the need for stricter measures to prevent such incidents from happening again.
As Naydich seeks justice, it is crucial that her story is heard and that her call for stronger punishment is addressed. Teachers should not have to fear for their safety while in the classroom, and perpetrators must face the consequences of their actions.
The community’s support, both in terms of donations and awareness, is essential in helping Naydich navigate through the aftermath of this traumatic event. It is a time for society to come together and stand up against violence in schools.
In the pursuit of justice, let us also reflect
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