In a significant development, Ebony Parker, the former assistant principal of Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia, has been indicted on eight counts of felony child abuse with disregard for life. The charges stem from a tragic incident in January 2023, where a 6-year-old student shot his teacher, Abby Zwerner. Court documents reveal that Parker is accused of neglecting her duty, ultimately leading to the shooting and Zwerner's life-threatening injuries.

Following the incident, Parker resigned from her position but has maintained silence regarding the matter. Zwerner, however, has taken legal action against Newport News Public Schools with a $40 million lawsuit, alleging negligence on the part of school administrators that allowed the shooting to occur. In light of the charges against Parker, Zwerner's lawyers assert that it further highlights the school district's failures.

Attorneys Diane Toscano, Kevin Biniazan, and Jeffrey Breit released a statement, stating, "These charges are very serious and underscore the failure of the school district to act to prevent the tragic shooting of Abby Zwerner." The lawyers further criticized the school board's reluctance to acknowledge their responsibility towards Zwerner and regarded the indictment as evidence of mounting failures and gross negligence within the district.

According to the lawsuit, Parker allegedly disregarded warnings from at least three teachers, who suspected the 6-year-old might be carrying a gun. She reportedly dismissed their concerns, claiming that the child had small pockets and wouldn't be able to conceal a weapon. Furthermore, just an hour before the shooting occurred, a school counselor requested Parker to check if the student had a gun. Regrettably, she declined to do so, according to the lawsuit's allegations.

Neither Parker nor her attorney has provided a comment on the matter thus far. Local ABC affiliate WVEC attempted to reach out to Parker at her listed home address but was unsuccessful. The court records indicate that the 6-year-old's mother, Deja Taylor, has already faced legal consequences for the incident. She was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison on firearm and drug charges in November, followed by a two-year state prison sentence for child neglect associated with the shooting in December.

In the aftermath of the shooting, Zwerner has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression. She continues to suffer from nightmares, with one particular haunting image etched in her memory. Zwerner recalls the chilling moment when the student brandished the firearm, leaving an indelible impact on her.

The indictment against Ebony Parker serves as a significant milestone in the pursuit of justice for Abby Zwerner and shines a spotlight on the failures and alleged negligence within Newport News Public Schools. As the legal proceedings continue, the outcome will undoubtedly have implications for the district's responsibility and the safety of its students.