A Florida high-school student with autism has filed a lawsuit against Flagler County Public Schools, alleging that the district failed to address his needs, leading to a violent incident involving a teacher's aide. The incident, which occurred at Matanzas High School in Palm Coast, involved the student, Brendan Depa, allegedly attacking teacher's aide Joan Naydich over a Nintendo game.
Surveillance video released by the Flagler County Sheriff's Office shows Depa pushing Naydich to the ground and physically assaulting her, resulting in severe injuries including broken ribs and a concussion for the teacher's aide.
The lawsuit claims that the school district failed to implement proper interventions to address Depa's behavioral issues, despite his history of trauma, mental health issues, and disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder and communication deficits.
According to the complaint, the school ignored Depa's need for social and pragmatic language interventions, which ultimately led to the violent outburst. The lawsuit alleges that the school did not adequately address previous incidents of threatening behavior by Depa, such as verbal threats and spitting at other students.
Depa's legal team argues that the school's failure to provide appropriate support and interventions directly contributed to the February 2023 incident. The lawsuit also highlights that the school was aware that the Nintendo game was a trigger for Depa's escalating behaviors.
Following the incident, Depa pleaded no contest to a first-degree felony charge and is facing potential incarceration. Naydich, the victim of the attack, has expressed ongoing physical, financial, and emotional challenges as a result of the incident.
The lawsuit seeks accountability from the school district for its alleged negligence in addressing Depa's needs and preventing the violent incident. The case underscores the importance of providing proper support and interventions for students with disabilities to ensure a safe and inclusive learning environment.
