A Florida teacher who was beaten unconscious by a student over a video game console has revealed he spat on her while insulting her during the vicious attack.
Joan Naydich, 59, was attacked in February by 17-year-old Brendan Depa, who towered over her at 6-foot-1 and weighing nearly 270 pounds.
Depa allegedly spat at her and called her a “bitch” and a “bitch” after she told another staff member that his Nintendo Switch was distracting to other students.
The teen pleaded no contest to an increased battery charge. He awaits sentencing later this month for the brutal attack that left Naydich with five broken ribs, a concussion and hearing loss.
The mother-of-two said the attack had made her a “completely different person”, adding: “My whole life has just been turned upside down.”
Joan Naydich, 59, pictured with her son, was knocked unconscious by a student following a disagreement over a video game console
Brendan Depa, 18, attacked the teacher's assistant after she told his lead teacher that he was distracting other students with his Nintendo Switch
Surveillance video shows the massive teenager attacking Naydich with punches and kicks and throwing her to the ground. He then punches her at least a dozen times on the head and back as she lies motionless.
Naydich, originally from Rhode Island, moved to Palm Coast, Florida and worked in the Flagler County School District beginning in 2003.
She worked in the cafeteria at Matanzas High School for nearly two decades before earning the certifications she needed to become a classroom aide.
Her first encounter with Depa took place in January 2022. The autistic teenager was in a special classroom where Naydich worked with the elementary school teacher.
She learned that Depa was adopted as a young child before he was placed in a residential care facility, and she clearly saw that he was troubled.
“He would try to intimidate,” she told the New York Post. “But this school year it never got to the point where he became violent. “It was only verbal.”
She learned that Depa was particularly fond of playing video games and was sensitive to criticism of his performance in the classroom, often accusing her of “spying” on his school record.
On the day of the attack, the teenager was annoyed that he had to wait for other students to arrive before going to the cafeteria for breakfast. He told Naydich that he hadn't had dinner the night before.
While the autistic teenager tried to “intimidate,” Naydich never suspected he would become violent toward her
Surveillance video shows the 6-foot, 250-pound teenager pushing Naydich to the floor in his special education classroom before kneeling down and hitting her in the head and back
The 59-year-old met Depa in January 2022 when she began supporting his primary school teacher. She learned that he was adopted as a young child before being sent to a group home
The Rhode Island native, pictured with her two children, moved to Palm Coast and worked in the Flagler County School District beginning in 2003
After lunch, Depa went to his regular remedial class, where his main teacher generally allowed him to use his Nintendo Switch if he finished his work.
Naydich accompanied him to his next class, where there was a substitute. Depa pulled out his gaming console, which distracted some of the other students and caused them to demand that he put it away.
The teenager obeyed, but got it again towards the end of the period.
Naydich then texted his elementary school teacher and told her that it would be wise for Depa not to bring the console to the same class in the future.
When Depa returned to his regular classroom, he found that Naydich had informed the teacher about what had happened in the previous class when she raised the issue and became angry.
“That’s when he started insulting me,” Naydich said. 'Female dog. Whore. This and that.'
She grabbed her backpack and sweatshirt and prepared to leave the room when “the energy in there changed.”
Depa spat in her face as she walked to the door. When she turned to open it, he knocked her unconscious.
In February 2023, Naydich told Depa's lead teacher that his Nintendo Switch was distracting students in another class
When the teacher confronted him, Depa became angry and began calling Naydich a “b***h” and a “w***e.”
As Naydich gathered her things and went to the door to get out of the situation, Depa spat at her before knocking her unconscious
Nearly a year later, she suffers from hearing loss, slowed speech and delayed cognitive function. The attack left her with several broken ribs and a severe concussion
Nearly a year later, she still bears the physical and mental scars of the attack. Her speech is slowed and she often has problems with routine cognitive functions.
Doctors are trying to diagnose some of her symptoms.
“Unfortunately, I will carry many of my invisible injuries for the rest of my life,” Naydich explained.
“I have no idea what closure looks like right now. 'I just want to be whole again.'
Of her attacker, she said: “I want to make sure he can't walk the streets freely.”
Depa faces a prison sentence of up to 30 years. His sentencing is scheduled for January 31.