Florida teacher’s assistant who was charged with taking a student’s Nintendo Switch was granted a protection order

On Thursday, a permanent order for protection was given to a Florida teacher’s assistant who was reportedly attacked by a 17-year-old high schooler. Brendan Depa, 17, was charged as an adult with one felony count of aggravated violence on an elected official or school staff on Feb. 21 at Matanzas High School in Palm Coast, Florida.

He is accused of attacking a teacher’s aide who he claims took away his Nintendo Switch during class time. According to WESH-TV, the teenager is classified as a special needs student. The teacher’s assistant, Joan Naydich, was granted a permanent injunction for protection against recurrent violence against Depa on Thursday, according to the Daytona Beach News-Journal.

Naydich stated in her petition for an injunction for protection that the event caused her two broken ribs and other bruises. According to the report, neither Depa nor Naydich made any remarks throughout the session. Kurt Teifke, Depa’s lawyer, stated that he will not contest the order.

According to Yahoo News, Depa is shown on a surveillance camera going up to the teacher’s assistant, pushing her to the ground, and then punching and kicking her. The teacher’s helper is seen on the ground for several minutes before being helped to her feet. On March 3, Depa entered a not-guilty plea to the felony charge of aggravated battery on an elected official or education employee.

After a request from his defense attorney indicating that he does not believe Depa is able to stand trial, Circuit Judge Terence Perkins ordered that Depa undergo a mental health assessment. The injunction forbids Depa from contacting Naydich and from being within 500 feet of Matanzas High School or its residents. Furthermore, it forbids Depa from coming within 500 feet of Palm Coast Lanes, where the teacher’s aide monitors her students’ bowls.

Depa is also not allowed to get within 100 feet of Naydich’s car. In an interview with the media, Naydich stated that the injunction made her feel “somewhat” safer. “I just want to make sure that this doesn’t ever happen to anybody else ever again,” Naydich said. When Depa accused the teacher’s assistant of taking her Nintendo Switch, Naydich told the reporters after the court hearing that was not the case.

“There was no device taken away, it was the teacher that was threatening to not have it utilized at the school,” Naydich said. “I had nothing to do with it.” Naydich also said that her recovery is “slow,” adding that “every day is just a new day.” She was also asked about potential punishment for Depa and said “I couldn’t even guess on that one. I won’t even speculate.”

Depa has three prior misdemeanor violence charges, the first in March 2019, the second in April 2019, and the third in June 2019. The allegations stem from the 13th Judicial Circuit in Hillsborough County, Florida. According to records, Depa completed a program for those charges via the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice.