Florida teacher brutally beaten by a high school student battles district after being placed on unpaid leave

A Florida teacher who was physically assaulted by a high school student is now fighting the school district after being placed on unpaid leave. Her attacker awaits sentencing after a no contest plea.

Joan Naydich was brutally attacked by Brendan Depa after she told the student to stop playing his Nintendo Switch, according to Daily Mail.

“I was attacked on February 21st, and I feel like I’m just constantly being attacked,” Naydich said of the medical and financial burden she’s now experiencing, according to Fox 35.  

Surveillance footage shows the teen repeatedly kicking and punching Naydich as she lay unconscious on the floor. It took several faculty and staff to drag the 270-pound student off the motionless teacher. 

As a result of the attack, Naydich suffered five broken ribs, a severe concussion and hearing loss. 

“My whole life was just turned upside down,” Naydich said. “Unfortunately, a lot of my injuries that are not visible I’m going to have for the rest of my life.” 

She claimed she returned to work in August but was quickly placed on unpaid leave. She’s still fighting with Flagler County School District to get her workers’ compensation case resolved.  

Without any income, the former teacher is living off donations from her GoFundMe effort, which has raised over $122,000.  

The now 18-year-old attacker pleaded no contest to the aggravated battery charge. 

Kurt Teifke, Depa’s attorney, claimed his client was unable to stand trial based on his autistic diagnosis, but a court-appointed psychologist determined he was fit for trial. 

Depa had been arrested three times for battery assault prior to February’s attack, according to the Daily Mail. 

Naydich is pushing for the maximum sentence and is willing to speak up at the court hearing if necessary.  

“I want to make sure he is not able to walk the streets freely,” Naydich said, reported Fox 35.  

Depa is currently being held on a $1 million bond. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for January.