Mother of 6-year-old boy who shot his teacher in Virginia pleads guilty to child neglect charge, per report

A Virginia mother of a 6-year-old boy who shot his first-grade teacher earlier this year has pleaded guilty to a charge of felony child neglect Tuesday, according to multiple media reports.

Deja Taylor’s child allegedly used her gun to shoot his teacher, Abigail Zwerner, on Jan. 6 at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, CNN reported. The incident left the teacher with wounds to her hand and chest.

“My mom had that gun,’’ the 6 year old told authorities after the shooting. “I stole it because I needed to shoot my teacher.”

Taylor’s attorney, James Ellenson, said Taylor purchased the gun and kept it on the top shelf of her bedroom closet, secured by a trigger lock.

Authorities said no trigger lock and no key to a trigger lock were found in their search of her home, according to a report.

The child allegedly stood on the dresser and took the gun from his mother’s purse, police said. He kept the gun in his backpack.

The felony child neglect charge has a maximum statutory sentence of five years in prison.

However, due to a plea agreement, prosecutors have said they will not seek a punishment beyond the sentencing guidelines of six months.

As part of a plea deal, Taylor previously pleaded guilty to federal gun charges and will be sentenced on those charges on Oct. 18, CNN reported.

Taylor’s sentencing on the state charge is scheduled for Oct. 27.

The boy is not expected to be criminally charged.

The child has “extreme emotional issues,’’ is in therapy, and is showing improvement, Ellenson told CNN.