01 March 2023 , 13:47
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A teaching assistant brutally punched unconscious by a huge 6ft 6ins student claims she did not confiscate the boy's Nintendo Switch.
Joan Naydich, 57, was floored to the ground at Matanzas High School in Palm Coast in Florida, US after being allegedly attacked by 17-year-old Brendan Depa on February 21.
The 19 stone student, who faces an aggravated battery charge, initially told police he went into a fit of rage after she had taken his Nintendo Switch.
However, the teaching assistant has denied taking the boy's console and "wanted to set the record straight".
She has spoken out on a GoFundMe page which was set up by friends and family to help aid her recovery.
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Since the page launched there has been over $62,000 (£49,000) raised which has left her "overwhelmed" by the support.
The teaching assistant was horrifically punched to the ground by a student (Facebook)Joan has since been released from hospital and is recovering at home following the horrific attack.
The mum wrote: "For all you keyboard warriors, I just want to set the record straight. I never took the Nintendo Switch from him.
"From anyone that's read or heard differently, I've been told this was unfortunately misinformation.
"As the process continues, there will be many updates along the way! Your thoughts and prayers through all of this are appreciated more than you know."
The giant 17-year-old was caught on CCTV battering the mum-of-two to the ground before staff intervened and pushed him off the staff member.
Brendan Depa told police he allegedly attacked her because she took his Nintendo SwitchWriting on the GoFundMe launch, Joan thanked everyone for their support and said "your contributions are lessening that burden and I'm truly grateful!"
She commented: "'I'm hopeful that the awareness of this incident being spread far and wide will prevent anyone else from ever dealing with the trauma, physical healing and disruption of everyday life that this has caused.
"It's touching to know that so many care. This certainly wasn't how I saw my son's senior year turning out for our family."
Brendan, who can be named after the Seventh Judicial Court of Florida ruled that he would be sent to an adult court, is being held on a $1million (£835,000) bond.
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The student, who can be seen in CCTV punching Joan to the ground before kicking her, faces up to 30 years in jail if found guilty of first-degree felony.
Staff quickly run to help the teacher who laid in a pool of blood (Flagler County S)The state attorney alleges Brendan "did actually and intentionally touch or strike (the victim) against the will of (her) and in doing so used a deadly weapon, and/or intentionally or knowingly caused great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement."
Sheriff Staly said: "This student is just six months shy of age 18, and it was also a brutal attack on this teacher. Fortunately, this didn't result in a fatality.
"This could be a homicide we are talking about."
Brendan has been ordered by the court not to contact the teaching assistant and will appear in court on March 6 to hear the charges against him.