RICHMOND, USA: The mother of a 6-year-old boy involved in a school shooting incident in Virginia could face imprisonment following repeated violations of drug tests while awaiting sentencing on federal weapons charges.
Deja Taylor, the mother, had been charged with using marijuana while possessing a firearm, a violation of federal law, on Thursday. The incident saw her son using her gun to shoot his first-grade teacher, Abby Zwerner, in January, resulting in severe injuries and multiple surgeries for the educator.
Taylor had pleaded guilty to the marijuana-related charge in June, along with allegations of providing false information about her drug use on a federal background check form during the firearm purchase. Despite being granted release on bond with conditions, including drug tests and addiction treatment, Taylor tested positive for marijuana twice and once for cocaine. Additionally, she missed two drug tests and two drug treatment sessions, prompting concerns about her adherence to court orders and potential danger to the community.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lisa McKeel and Peter Osyf underscored the severity of these violations, questioning Taylor’s compliance with court orders and her respect for the law. James Ellenson, Taylor’s attorney, acknowledged the allegations but argued against incarceration, emphasizing the progress Taylor has made in her rehabilitation efforts.
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While Taylor has faced challenges with substance abuse, Ellenson highlighted her consistent drug testing and decreasing marijuana levels, suggesting her commitment to abstaining from the drug. He attributed the positive cocaine test to inadvertent exposure through marijuana laced with the substance. Ellenson emphasized that incarceration would worsen Taylor’s underlying issues and advocated for a compassionate approach to addressing her substance abuse struggles.
Taylor’s sentencing is scheduled for October 18, with a plea agreement recommending a sentence of 18 to 24 months in prison. Notably, marijuana is legal in several U.S. states, including Virginia, but remains a controlled substance under federal law. The incident brought to light marijuana found in residences associated with Taylor during the post-shooting searches conducted by authorities.
In addition to federal charges, Taylor faces state sentencing for felony child neglect, stemming from the same incident. This sentencing is set for October 27, with prosecutors seeking a sentence within state guidelines, expected to be no more than six months. Prosecutors also agreed to drop a misdemeanour charge related to the reckless storage of a firearm.
Meanwhile, Abby Zwerner, the injured teacher, is pursuing a $40 million lawsuit against the school system, alleging gross negligence on the part of school administrators for ignoring multiple warnings about the presence of a gun on the day of the shooting.
