The mother of the Newport News boy who shot his teacher Abby Zwerner says her son has ADHD and claims his actions are linked to the disorder.
RELATED STORIES; Newport News Police Reveal Boy Used His Mother’s Gun To Shoot Teacher Abby Zwerner
Deja Taylor revealed in an interview with ABC News that her six-year-old son was diagnosed with ADHD and is known to be very energetic plus described him as a “great kid” who doesn’t sit still. However, she said she is willing to take responsibility for his actions because he can’t take responsibility for himself due to his age. As previously reported, Taylor is charged with a felony count of child neglect and a misdemeanor count of recklessly leaving a firearm to endanger a child. Her bench trial is scheduled for August 15.
In her lawsuit, Abby Zwerner claimed her student had a history of violence and was known to attack his classmates and other teachers. Taylor said her son likes Zwerner and noted that he felt like she was ignoring him the week of the shooting. “You know, most children, when they are trying to talk to you, and if you easily just brush them off, or you ask them to sit down, or you’re dealing with something else, and you ask them to go and sit down, at 6 [years old] you — in your mind would believe that, ‘Somebody’s not listening to me,’ and you have a tantrum,” she explained.
RELATED STORIES: Virginia School District Where Teacher Was Shot Says She Should Only Get Workers Compensation
“He threw his arms up. He said, ‘Fine.’ And when he threw his arms up, he knocked her phone out of her hand on accident,” referencing an incident involving the boy breaking Zwerner’s cellphone. Taylor’s son was suspended for the incident, and she said she offered to pay for its replacement. The shooting reportedly occurred a day after the boy returned from suspension to school.
Zwerner’s lawyer James Ellenson said Taylor’s son was “prematurely enrolled” into first grade despite only completing kindergarten for two months despite administrators being aware of his ADHD diagnosis. Additionally, his family members were no longer required to be present in the classroom due to his improved behavior.
Taylor said on the week of the shooting, her mental state was frail as she reportedly suffered from postpartum depression after several miscarriages and was hospitalized for a week.
“I just truly would like to apologize that … she [Zwerner] did get hurt. We were actually kind of forming a relationship with me having to be in the classroom. And she is really a bright person.”
Although her son is in another school, she is worried for his future in Newport News and says her son deserves to be seen as a human being as Jan. 6 was seen as a terrible day for everyone involved, said her grandfather, Calvin Taylor. The boy remains in legal custody of his great-grandfather.