Assistant Principal Cleared in Child Neglect Case

Virginia Judge Dismisses Child Neglect Charges

A Virginia judge on Thursday, May 21, 2026, dismissed all criminal child neglect charges against Ebony Parker, a former assistant principal at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News. The ruling by Judge Rebecca Robinson concluded the criminal case stemming from a January 2023 incident where a 6-year-old student shot and wounded first-grade teacher Abby Zwerner.

Parker had faced eight counts of felony child neglect, with prosecutors alleging she disregarded multiple warnings that the student possessed a firearm. Judge Robinson stated that the alleged actions did not constitute a crime under Virginia's common law or code, emphasizing that her ruling was based solely on legal principles.

Prosecutors had argued that Parker failed to act despite being informed by school employees that the child might have a gun, and that she denied a request to search the student.

Conversely, Parker's attorney, Curtis Rogers, contended that teachers also bore responsibility for addressing the situation. The school's policy at the time mandated reporting crisis situations to an administrator for action.

While Parker was not criminally convicted, a civil jury in 2025 awarded Zwerner $10 million, finding Parker liable for ignoring warning signs. The student's mother, Deja Taylor, was previously sentenced to two years in prison for felony child neglect and 21 months for federal weapons charges related to the incident.