Newport News, Va. (Newsradiowrva.com) - The mother of the first-grade student accused in the Richneck Elementary School shooting appeared in court on Tuesday morning and pleaded guilty to a felony child neglect charge.
Prosecutors agreed to drop Deja Taylor's other charge, misdemeanor endangering of a child by reckless storage of a firearm. Police say Taylor's 6-year-old son intentionally shot teacher Abby Zwerner in the hand and chest while she sat at a reading table during a lesson.
At Tuesday's plea hearing, prosecutors said they will not seek a punishment that is beyond the sentencing guidelines of six months. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Oct. 27.
The 6-year-old is now in the custody of his great-grandfather and will not be criminally charged. The teacher was seriously wounded but survived the attack.
