VA - 6-YEAR-OLD in custody after shooting teacher, Newport News, Jan 2023 *mom charged* #2

[fred&edna]

From what I understand, US school students with ADHD are eligible for services and an individual accommodation plan under Section 504 if they have significant difficulty learning in school due to ADHD impairments.

I have no idea what the mother and/or her attorney meant by "acute disability"... maybe they considered ADHD within this wording OR maybe he has some other diagnosis. We have no idea what (if any) examinations or evaluations he has undergone.

 

[YepperBepper]

Interesting. The linked filing by the school district says only that he was being evaluated for ADHD. That seems contrary to the family statement that he had an "acute disability".

Yes. This sounds like he had not been formally diagnosed, yet.

I noticed this from that same link:


It also reveals that a previous plan to have his parents in the classroom every day was no longer in place at the time of the shooting.


End Quote

 

[YepperBepper]

It is a disability. How disabling it is for an individual depends on their unique presentation and array of symptoms. That's why we have IEPs, why we have legal protections for people who need accommodations in the workplace. For some folks, having a routine and/or medication may mean their ADHD has minimal impact on their life and functioning. For others, it causes significant impairment and stresses and may mean they are unable to participate in study or work without substantial accommodation and supports. It's thought by many people that ADHD is cancelled out just by taking a pill, when it's not that simple. Some people, as much as they would like to use it, can't tolerate medication. It's unsafe for them, just plain doesn't work, has severe side effects, or has the opposite to desired effect on them. My nephew took one med for a very brief period of time that caused him to have explosive violent outbursts without warning, a side effect so severe and dangerous to himself and others the psychiatrist told my brother to stop him taking it, cold turkey. They have since found a med that works for him, but some folks never find one. They have to manage their ADHD in other ways. It's a condition that affects your whole body and brain, and medication is only one part of the puzzle of management of it, and an imperfect one, at that.

I agree that I don't think ADHD is the full picture, here. I would expect that there is some kind of conduct disorder or neurological issue in the mix, or possibly a developmental disability. But I am not a psych or a neurologist, and we have very little information, so all of this is just my own speculation and opinion, coloured by my experiences as someone who lives with ADHD.

MOO

All very true.

The wording from the link above makes it sounds as if the child was mid-stream in the evaluation process.

From link:
In the lawsuit filed by Zwerner’s attorneys, they say all of the defendants knew the boy had a history of random violence, at school and at home. They say he strangled and choked his kindergarten teacher the year before, and inappropriately touched a female classmate under her skirt
They stated, "All defendants knew that John Doe attacked students and teachers alike… and his motivation to injure was directed towards anyone in his path."
Shortly after the shooting, the boy’s family claimed the boy suffered from an “acute disability.” Wednesday's motion reveals the boy was being tested for ADHD at the time.

End Quote

 

[lonetraveler]

Especially a known dangerous child..... no excuses. I would not own a gun with a child who is in 1st grade and only allowed a half day with a parent sitting there. That is very high up on the risk scale.

When there was word that he had a gun,if they didn't want to frisk him, why didn't they immediately call the mom to find out if a. There was a gun in the home and b. If it was missing. That's the very least you can do.

BBM: This is what bothers me the most. The school did nothing to prevent this teacher from being shot. IMO, she deserves every dime she can get.

 

[YepperBepper]

Yes. This sounds like he had not been formally diagnosed, yet.

I noticed this from that same link:


It also reveals that a previous plan to have his parents in the classroom every day was no longer in place at the time of the shooting.


End Quote

Quoting myself. This is the first time that I've read that the "parents in the classroom" setup was no longer in place. I knew they weren't there that day...and I wasn't sure why. Imho

Smh

 

[AngTxGal]

Is ADHD classified as a disability? One of my kids has ADHD but the school district and department of education do not classify it as a disability. I think ADHD would be in addition to the 'acute disability' in this case here.

I’ve not heard of a child that young being put on meds for ADHD, nor have I heard the term acute disability used to describe ADHD.
What comes to my mind is traumatic brain injury.
Anyone know for certain?

JMO

 

[AngTxGal]

Yes. This sounds like he had not been formally diagnosed, yet.

I noticed this from that same link:


It also reveals that a previous plan to have his parents in the classroom every day was no longer in place at the time of the shooting.


End Quote

Six years old is too young to diagnose ADHD in my experience, at least for meds
Questionnaire by teachers and observation are what is needed

ADHD alone does not explain anger and threats to harm or acts of violence

JMO

 

[Laughing]

I’ve not heard of a child that young being put on meds for ADHD, nor have I heard the term acute disability used to describe ADHD.
What comes to my mind is traumatic brain injury.
Anyone know for certain?

JMO

Six years old is too young to diagnose ADHD in my experience, at least for meds
Questionnaire by teachers and observation are what is needed

ADHD alone does not explain anger and threats to harm or acts of violence

JMO

I've known kids as young as 3 on meds for ADHD. Yes, questionnaires and observation by people outside the home.

ADHd does not explain this. Traumatic brain injury is certainly a possibility, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/Effects/Spectrum Disorder, and others could.

As an educator, with this child's behavior I would have worked mighty hard to convince Mom to become involved in a domestic violence intervention program.

In my professional opinion, this child has watched people -- mainly female -- be hurt. By males.

The minimal information we have shows that he has attacked a female adult, a female child, and a female adult. Do we have any record/indication of physical aggression toward a male human?

imho, in this child's life, it is OK to hurt women.

We are not likely to ever know the whole story, of course.

ADHD can sure cause misadventure, but generally it is the child who is hurt.

Teachers & students everywhere deserve better than this -- sadly including the little guy.

jmho ymmv lrr

 

[AngTxGal]

Wow- I would have to see it to believe meds were the best option- but I’m no md
I hope we never hear this child’s name as he gets the help he needs. A stroke of luck she was not killed.

If the process began at school in Aug those observations would include his teacher‘s
Fetal alcohol syndrome
Traumatic brain injury
Quite possible

The case that comes to mind is that of the 2 yr old James Bulgar who was killed by two boys truant from school- who lured him from a mall two miles to train tracks near Liverpool- 1993. The two boys were ten yrs, battered him to death with bricks, tried as adults, convicted, records sealed, I also think names changed. Given the chance for help and redemption- I don’t know whatever came of them, where they were kept or what treatments they underwent.
I’ve heard the taped interviews- chilling
Evidently these boys had tried to abduct another child prior to James.
They were eligible for parole, eye opening that they would be 40 yrs old this year.

National Post

JMO

 

[iamshadow21]

Wow- I would have to see it to believe meds were the best option- but I’m no md
I hope we never hear this child’s name as he gets the help he needs. A stroke of luck she was not killed.

If the process began at school in Aug those observations would include his teacher‘s
Fetal alcohol syndrome
Traumatic brain injury
Quite possible

The case that comes to mind is that of the 2 yr old James Bulgar who was killed by two boys truant from school- who lured him from a mall two miles to train tracks near Liverpool- 1993. The two boys were ten yrs, battered him to death with bricks, tried as adults, convicted, records sealed, I also think names changed. Given the chance for help and redemption- I don’t know whatever came of them, where they were kept or what treatments they underwent.
I’ve heard the taped interviews- chilling
Evidently these boys had tried to abduct another child prior to James.
They were eligible for parole, eye opening that they would be 40 yrs old this year.

National Post

JMO

In that case, I think one has remained (as far as I know) out of trouble, the other has multiple offenses against children.

MOO

 

[seasideForest]

In that case, I think one has remained (as far as I know) out of trouble, the other has multiple offenses against children.

MOO

Correct. There's even a thread on here under Past Trial Discussion Threads, for anybody interested in the details.

 

[Anicole]

I’ve not heard of a child that young being put on meds for ADHD, nor have I heard the term acute disability used to describe ADHD.
What comes to my mind is traumatic brain injury.
Anyone know for certain?

JMO

My son was formally diagnosed at 4. It was not an easy or quick process by any means, but it can and has been done. It took many evaluations, tests and scans. At the end, we were told that if you lined up 100 kids and 100 was your average neuro-typical child, and 1 was "worst case scenario," my kid was a 4 on the scale. He wasn't violent, thankfully, but he had plenty of other things that made life difficult for him - for him, his preschool, social situations, etc. We were pretty opposed to meds since he was so very young, but we also had a great medical team who worked in tandem to get him on the right meds with the lowest doses possible as well as therapy that helped his little young mind navigate how to cope and re-direct.

He's 28 now. His life hasn't been easy, school was a disastrous nightmare and he's had some tough, dark times, but he's always, ALWAYS had 100% support, and I think that makes all the difference in the world. We had an IEP in place before he started Kindergarten. His school ... well, let me just say that we had a lawyer involved at one point, and I was known as THAT mom, but ask me if I care. My job was to advocate for him to be successful. IDEA and his 504 plan guaranteed that he had rights. Most of his teachers dreaded his name on their rosters until about six weeks in and they realized how much we wanted him to succeed and then things would get a little better. Our real issues were from the SpEd teacher, but that's something I'm still working out in my head and heart.

I don't doubt this 6 year old had ADHD, but my guess is, that's the least of the acronyms he has going on, bless his heart. I hope he receives all the help he needs and can live a productive life, in whatever way his disabilities allow. But I also hope that since he's an obvious danger to society at this point, that he's not turned loose any time soon.

And I also hope that the school is held accountable, to the highest degree possible, as well as the parent(s). AZ deserves to have justice.

 

[sds71]

According to the boy's family, the school informed Taylor she and other family members were no longer required to be present in the classroom, a request they made in the fall due to the boy's behavior challenges.

"He had started medication and he was meeting his goals, academically," she said. Taylor's grandfather, Calvin Taylor, who has legal custody of the boy, agreed that "his behavior had changed [for the better] in the classroom" prior to the incident.


The boy remains in the legal custody of Calvin Taylor, who said the boy is in school elsewhere and getting therapy. He said he worries, however, about the boy's future living in Newport News.

"I just don't think the constant negativity [from] my community is allowing this to boil over," he said. Deja Taylor, he said, should not be absolved for her actions, but deserves to be looked at "as a human being who made a mistake."

Mother of 6-year-old who shot Virginia teacher says son has ADHD

Deja Taylor, the mother of a 6-year-old boy who allegedly shot his first grade teacher in January, said her son's actions can be linked to his ADHD diagnosis.

www.goodmorningamerica.com

 

[Ontario Mom]

The boy remains in the legal custody of Calvin Taylor, who said the boy is in school elsewhere and getting therapy. He said he worries, however, about the boy's future living in Newport News.

"I just don't think the constant negativity [from] my community is allowing this to boil over," he said. Deja Taylor, he said, should not be absolved for her actions, but deserves to be looked at "as a human being who made a mistake."

Mother of 6-year-old who shot Virginia teacher says son has ADHD

Deja Taylor, the mother of a 6-year-old boy who allegedly shot his first grade teacher in January, said her son's actions can be linked to his ADHD diagnosis.

www.goodmorningamerica.com

RSBM

I sure hope his new school has FULL background files including any and all disciplinary issues he's had. I also hope the therapy makes a huge difference in his life.

 

[mickey2942]

I don't see "ADHD" here, INMO. Most kids with ADHD don't hold grudges. They literally forget about stuff from one minute to the next. Nor do they have rage, enough rage to carry out a plan to kill someone.

Think about this, the child had to have anger, and then, plan to find the parent's gun, which was supposedly locked up or put away. Then, planned to bring it to school, hiding the gun from adults. This is a lot of Thinking and planning in the execution of this crime. This was not a random accident.

This is not ADHD here. Believe me.

 

[Anicole]

He's attending another school and the (great?)grandfather is worried about having to move.

I'm shocked, appalled and disgusted with this entire situation where the school and this family is concerned.

But even more so, I'm LIVID that ADHD is being blamed for this awful event. The mother, who doesn't even have custody of the child, lied from the beginning, stating that he was being evaluated. The article states that he had been diagnosed and was being treated, at the time of the shooting.

Taking responsibility, my rear end. I hope she gets every single second in prison that is allowed by law. And I hope that AZ gets every single penny she's asking for and the administration and educators (used very loosely where these pitiful people are concerned) are punished to the fullest extent possible.

ETA: I hate to say it, but I'm afraid we haven't seen the last event from this poor child.

 

[ChatteringBirds]

[

his behavior had changed [for the better] in the classroom"

He smashed his teacher's phone in the days (ETA: IIRC) before he shot her. That's a change for the better?

 

[chipwhitley]

According to the boy's family, the school informed Taylor she and other family members were no longer required to be present in the classroom, a request they made in the fall due to the boy's behavior challenges.

"He had started medication and he was meeting his goals, academically," she said. Taylor's grandfather, Calvin Taylor, who has legal custody of the boy, agreed that "his behavior had changed [for the better] in the classroom" prior to the incident.


The boy remains in the legal custody of Calvin Taylor, who said the boy is in school elsewhere and getting therapy. He said he worries, however, about the boy's future living in Newport News.

"I just don't think the constant negativity [from] my community is allowing this to boil over," he said. Deja Taylor, he said, should not be absolved for her actions, but deserves to be looked at "as a human being who made a mistake."

Mother of 6-year-old who shot Virginia teacher says son has ADHD

Deja Taylor, the mother of a 6-year-old boy who allegedly shot his first grade teacher in January, said her son's actions can be linked to his ADHD diagnosis.

www.goodmorningamerica.com

Boil over? This is not something that can just boil over, IMO. Wow, hope his new school is equipped to handle the boy (and this family). Maybe it is a school that specializes in this behavior.

 

[Simply Southern]

Mother and attorney blame school...

Mother of 6-year-old boy who shot Richneck teacher speaks out in exclusive 'Good Morning America' interview

Deja Taylor, 25, made the remarks during an exclusive interview with ABC's "Good Morning America."

www.13newsnow.com

....
Taylor explained that her son "actually really liked" Zwerner and said he felt ignored during the week of the shooting.
Referring to an incident before the shooting where the boy allegedly broke Zwerner's phone, Taylor said it happened after Zwerner said she told him to sit down when he was asking her a question. As a result, the boy was suspended.
"You know, most children, when they are trying to talk to you, and if you easily just brush them off, or you ask them to sit down, or you're dealing with something else and you ask them to go and sit down, at 6 [years old] you -- in your mind would believe that, 'Somebody's not listening to me,' and you have a tantrum," Taylor told ABC.

Taylor's attorney, James Ellenson, also spoke out, saying school officials are ultimately for the shooting because the boy was prematurely enrolled in first grade despite only attending two months of kindergarten and two months of pre-K.

"If they believed all of these behaviors to be true, then they should not have allowed him" to advance to a higher level, Ellenson told ABC. "They should've put him back into kindergarten, possibly even pre-K, but at the minimum to kindergarten."

 

[mickey2942]

I am guessing that he was probably moved to first grade because he perpetrated on kids in Pre-K and Kindergarten. They probably stuck him in first grade, hoping that older kids could more easily protect themselves.