Matanzas High School teacher's aide files injunction against student accused in attack

A teacher's aide suffered two broken ribs and multiple bruises, according to a petition for an injunction for protection she filed against Brendan Depa, the Matanzas High School student accused of violently attacking her.

The petition from Joan Naydich provided an account account of what led up to the attack. Police originally stated Naydich took away Depa's Nintendo Switch, an account she denied. According to the petition filed by Naydich, Depa was asked why he had a video game out in class, and he became irritated and started calling the person vulgar names. The petition states Naydich walked out of class and was going to the dean's office when she was attacked.

Naydich filed the injunction for protection against repeat violence Feb. 27 against Depa through his mother, Leanne Depa. Circuit

Judge Christopher France issued a temporary injunction that day and will consider issuing a permanent injunction at a hearing set for 9 a.m. Thursday at the Kim C. Hammond Justice Center in Bunnell.

Mental health exam ordered:Defense questions competency of student charged in Matanzas High School attack

Matanzas student held on bond:Matanzas student accused of attacking teacher's aide over Nintendo Switch held on $1 million bail

What happens next?Will Matanzas High School student who attacked teacher's aide be expelled? Here's the process

Besides the injuries mentioned in the petition, a GoFundMe post for Naydich states that she suffered a concussion and a brain injury.

Depa, 17, was charged with aggravated battery on a school board employee, a first-degree felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison. He was being held in Duval County on $1 million bond. The News-Journal is identifying him because he was charged as an adult.

Circuit Judge Terence Perkins has ordered that Depa undergo a mental health examination after Depa's defense attorney filed a motion stating he believed his client maybe incompetent to stand trial.

The temporary injunction bars Depa from having any contact with Naydich and prohibits him from coming within 500 feet of her residence or Matanzas High School. It also prohibits Depa from coming within 500 feet of Palm Coast Lanes, where Naydich watches her children bowl. Depa is also barred from knowingly coming within 100 feet of her car. Depa is also prohibited from possessing any firearms.

Joan Naydich suffered 2 broken ribs, multiple bruises, petition states

On a piece of paper attached to the petition, Naydich wrote by hand "I was attacked in the hallway," and then cites a Flagler County Sheriff's Office report. "According (to) hospital report I sustained 2 broken ribs and multiple bruises."

The petition for the injunction states that according to the Flagler County Sheriff's Office case, Depa, whose name is redacted, is required an aide, identified as Naydich.

According to the petition, Depa was told to put his Switch away. Twenty minutes before class ended, he took out the Switch again, and Depa again was told to put it away. The teacher was then notified. When questioned about the video game, Depa, "began to get highly irritated," the petition stated, and he began to call out vulgar names and "got up to spit in my face."

Brendan Depa began spitting, swearing, petition states

In a section asking the petitioner to describe prior incidents, Naydich refers to an incident at Matanzas High School but provides the date of Aug. 29, 2023. The petition states that "Over the course of the week, B(redacted) behavioral changes were very apparent and address to multiple teachers."

The petition goes on to state: "This particular day once the teacher left the room B(redacted) repeatedly called me a (expletive) and to 'mind my own (expletive) business. I immediately went to tell the teacher when he started using profanity once again saying 'You are too (expletive) old, you are too (expletive) slow, (expletive)' Another student tried to intervene as B(redacted) began spitting, stating he was spitting because that's 'his way of saying (expletive) you," according to the petition for injunction.

GoFundMe shows nearly $100,000 in donations for Joan Naydich

Jessica White Leon organized a GoFundMe drive for Naydich which, as of Wednesday, had raised $97,370 toward a goal of $100,000. 

Leon wrote in a post on Sunday that she was getting a lot inquiries about the extent of Naydich’s injuries. 

“One day, I pray, that she will be comfortable and have answers to go into more detail! For now, terms such as loss of consciousness resulting in brain injury, concussion, broken ribs and extensive contusions are only a few of what's been used. These only cover some of the physical, not to mention, the psychological consequences of this traumatic event,” according to the post. 

Naydich on Saturday posted her own update on GoFundMe.

“It’s been almost two weeks since an incident at Matanzas High School changed my life," she wrote. "Besides occasionally watching my children bowl at the local bowling alley, I have been resting at home.

“No one should ever have to endure what I went through that day,” she continued. “My children shouldn’t have had to bear seeing their mother in that condition, either. I have a long road of recovery ahead of me, but with the help of my children and friends, I will not quit until I am me again.”