Mother of 6-year-old school shooter sentenced on federal gun charges
Deja Taylor is the mother of the 6-year-old boy who shot teacher Abby Zwerner at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia. If you’ll recall, it was her gun that was used in the shooting. Initially, it was claimed she kept the gun secured on a closet shelf where the gun could not be reached by the boy. Then it was claimed she thought the gun was in her purse secured by a trigger lock, with the key being kept under her mattress. However, investigators never found any evidence of a trigger lock ever being in the home.
In the aftermath of the shooting, I had a lot of sympathy for Taylor. Here she was, trying to raise a son with developmental issues all by herself. She had a history of miscarriages and PTSD. She carried a gun because she had been a victim of domestic abuse.
Federal gun charges had been filed against her because she was a cannabis user. While legal in Virginia, she lied on her federal firearms license application about her cannabis use. At the time she was charged, I asked who does this charge actually serve? She could have been put away for years. Years when her son wouldn’t have any parents. Even so, she pleaded guilty to the federal charges against her.
While she was awaiting sentencing, Taylor failed multiple drug tests for marijuana and cocaine and failed to attend required counseling. I gave her cannabis use a pass because I assumed she was self-medicating her PTSD. However, failing multiple drug tests while awaiting a drug-related sentence indicates a much larger problem. At this point, my sympathy started to wane. It also doesn’t help that Taylor allegedly shot at her son’s father last year, after seeing him with his girlfriend.
I understand why people with mental illness sometimes end up with drug problems. As I have mentioned ad nauseam, I’ve been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. In my darkest hours, I could see why some people fall into the trap of substance abuse. I’ve been around substance abuse most of my life, which I guess helped me in avoiding the pitfalls.
While cannabis does have some medicinal benefits for treating PTSD and depression, cocaine does not and can make matters much worse. But at some point, especially when a child’s life is involved, you have to step up and get your life in order. I realize that’s easier said than done, but if you can’t quit for your child, what will you quit for?
Earlier this month, Taylor was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison. Part of me thinks this is a fair sentence because her actions led directly to Abby Zwerner being shot. The other part of me thinks this sentence is too harsh for keeping a mother away from her son for that long. Then again, you can’t help anyone who doesn’t want help, and from her recent behavior, it doesn’t seem like Taylor wanted any help with her substance abuse. Hopefully, Taylor will change her mind about that for her son’s well-being.
(Sources)
- Deja Taylor to spend nearly 2 years in federal prison for marijuana use while owning gun
- Mother of boy who shot teacher gets 21 months in prison for using marijuana while owning gun
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