In a striking case of violence and its legal consequences, Brendan Depa, an 18-year-old from Florida, has been sentenced to five years in state prison for a severe assault on a high school paraprofessional. The brutal attack, which occurred in February 2023, involved Depa pummeling Joan Naydich, a female educator at Matanzas High School in Palm Coast, unconscious. This sentencing concludes a high-profile legal process that has drawn significant public and media attention.
The assault took place when Depa, then 17 years old and standing at 6 feet 6 inches tall with a weight of 270 pounds, violently attacked Naydich in a school hallway. Security footage captured Depa sprinting towards Naydich and shoving her to the ground. Once she was incapacitated, Depa continued his assault by repeatedly stomping on her and delivering a series of 15 punches. The attack was so severe that several staff members had to intervene to remove Depa and restrain him.
Brendan Depa’s sentencing was finalized by Circuit Judge Terence Perkins, who handed down the five-year prison term on Tuesday evening. In addition to the prison sentence, Depa will serve 15 years of probation following his release and will be placed in a group home. This sentence reflects the gravity of the assault and the impact it has had on both Naydich and the broader community.
The attack on Naydich has had devastating consequences for her life. In her testimony, Naydich described the profound personal and professional losses she has suffered as a result of the assault. She reported that the incident led to PTSD and anxiety, causing her to lose a job she held for nearly 19 years, her financial security, and her health insurance. Naydich has emphasized that her life has been irreversibly changed by the attack, with her personal and professional stability severely disrupted.
During the trial, Depa’s defense argued that his autism spectrum disorder should be considered a significant factor in his actions and requested that he be tried as a juvenile, given that he was still 17 at the time of the attack. However, Assistant State Attorney Melissa Clark countered this argument by highlighting Depa’s history of violent behavior, which she asserted warranted a more severe legal response. Judge Perkins agreed with this assessment, noting that Depa had a history of violence and previous battery charges.
In the aftermath of the sentencing, Leanne Depa, Brendan’s adoptive mother, publicly expressed her dissatisfaction with the outcome. She contended that the prison sentence was overly harsh and that her son’s disabilities and past challenges were not adequately considered. Leanne Depa also criticized the school system for not managing her son’s disabilities more effectively, asserting that various triggers related to his condition had not been properly addressed.
In contrast, the legal system’s approach to the case has been one of strict accountability, reflecting the serious nature of the assault. The court has issued a no-contact order, mandating that Depa remain 500 feet away from Naydich’s home and workplace. This measure aims to ensure Naydich’s safety and prevent any further distress or potential harassment.
As Depa begins his prison sentence, he retains the right to appeal the decision. The case remains a sobering reminder of the complexities involved in addressing violence in educational settings, particularly when mental health and developmental disorders are factors. The legal proceedings underscore the need for a balance between justice for victims and consideration of the perpetrator’s circumstances.
The sentencing of Brendan Depa serves as a poignant example of the broader issues of school safety, mental health support, and the legal system’s role in addressing violent behavior. It highlights the profound impact such incidents can have on individuals and communities, and the ongoing need for effective measures to prevent and address violence in schools.
