Virginia Judge Dismisses Child Abuse Charges Against Former Assistant Principal Ebony Parker

A judge in Virginia, United States, has dismissed all charges against Ebony Parker, a former assistant principal at Richneck Elementary School. Parker had faced felony child abuse charges, specifically eight counts of disregard for life, after a six-year-old pupil shot his teacher during class in January 2023.

The defence team contended that the state had failed to establish its case against Parker, a position Circuit Court Judge Rebecca Robinson upheld in her ruling. Parker reportedly became emotional as the decision was announced.

The incident involved a six-year-old child firing a single shot at teacher Abigail Zwerner, who sustained injuries to her hand and chest requiring surgery. The child's mother, Deja Taylor, 26, received a jail sentence for a drug-related offence connected to the firearm used in the shooting.