Grand jury indicts mother of Virginia six-year-old who shot teacher

The mother of a Virginia six-year-old who shot his teacher while in class will face charges after a Newport News grand jury voted to indict her.

Deja Taylor now faces a felony charge of child neglect and misdemeanor child endangerment involving a loaded weapon, the New York Times reported.

The incident occurred on Jan. 6 of this year at Richneck Elementary School. First grade teacher Abigail Zwerner was injured by a single bullet that went through her hand and into her upper chest. No others were injured.

While the child will not face charges due to his age, the issue of how the gun came into his possession remains a sticking point. Taylor legally purchased the firearm.

The school board ousted superintendent George Parker III in late January following the episode. Zwerner had asserted that the school administration was repeatedly warned that day that the boy had a gun in his possession.

A staff member did search the child's backpack following reports he may have had a weapon, though it was not found at the time, according to the NYT.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.