FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – A Flagler County high school student caught on video violently attacking a teacher’s aide last year was sentenced Tuesday to five years in state prison.
In October, Brendan Depa pleaded no contest to aggravated battery charges in the February 2023 attack at Matanzas High School. Depa kicked and punched Joan Naydich after he became upset that his Nintendo Switch was taken away.
A sentencing hearing was originally held in May, but the judge did not make a decision and said he needed to hear from more witnesses. The state argued Depa should face serious time behind bars. The woman in the attack also spoke in court and argued for jail time.
“Brendan Depa’s actions that day has caused me to lose a job that I had for almost 19 years, lose my financial security, lose my health insurance,” Naydich said.
A psychologist also testified that Depa is aggressive and his actions were intentional. However, his attorneys argued he has several known disabilities and triggers that lead to outbursts. He also has autism spectrum disorder.
According to Leann Depa, Brendan’s mother, he had a long history of violent reactions to situations.
“I had told the school that being hungry was a trigger, that noise was a trigger, that being told no was a trigger, that being corrected in front of other people was a trigger, and electronics was a huge trigger,” Leann Depa said on the witness stand.
According to an arrest report, Depa — who is 6 feet, 6 inches tall and 270 pounds — punched Naydich a total of 15 times.
Video showed the then-17-year-old pushing Naydich to the ground, charging toward and attacking her. From that point, she was unconscious.
Naydich filed a permanent injunction last year for protection against Depa to keep him from coming within 500 feet of her home or place of work.
Depa asked for house arrest for her son, saying he would not survive prison.
“I knew Brendan and I knew his triggers and I knew his needs and his strengths and I beg you to let him come home with me,” Depa said.
After he serves time in prison, he will undergo 15 years of supervised probation, which will include treatment for his disabilities.
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