COCOA BEACH, Fla. – A Cocoa Beach elementary school principal and teacher were arrested after police busted a house party attended by more than 100 juveniles, many of whom had been drinking, authorities said.
The Cocoa Beach Police Department said officers responded to a home on Sunday and observed the large crowd, many of whom were wearing matching T-shirts.
According to police, alcohol was available in coolers at the home, which is owned by Roosevelt Elementary School Principal Elizabeth Hill-Brodigan.
Police said while officers were investigating the party, a juvenile was located on the front lawn experiencing an alcohol-related medical event. The juvenile was so heavily intoxicated that Brevard County Fire Rescue had to treat them, police said.
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While that was happening, according to police, Hill-Brodigan was seen by officers in the driveway of her home turning off the outside lights and entering her residence, causing BCFR to use auxiliary lighting on their vehicle to treat the child.
In addition, a traffic stop was conducted near the home resulting in the arrest of the juvenile driver for DUI, police said.
According to authorities, an intoxicated woman identified as Karly Anderson approached officers and said she was a teacher and had been at the party. It was later discovered that she was a teacher at Roosevelt Elementary School, police said.
An arrest warrant was obtained for Hill-Brodigan for child neglect, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and holding an open house party.
Anderson was arrested on charges of child neglect and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
A new affidavit released Monday reads Anderson scolded the paramedics who helped the intoxicated teen on the lan.
“The defendant (who is known to be a 3rd grade teacher at Roosevelt Elementary School) began to walk up and berate BCFR,” the police report reads.
The new documents also tell us why all the students were wearing matching clothes.
Police said it was a ‘white lie’ party and according to kids who were there, parties like that happened once or twice a month at the principal’s house.
The allegations continue that students were fighting at the party, yelling at neighbors, and someone brought a gun all while Hill-Brodigan did nothing to stop it.
Police even said that she had kids help her get set up for the party.
Brevard Public Schools said both have been placed on administrative leave pending the results of a police investigation.
“We are extremely troubled by these accusations and are fully cooperating with the Cocoa Beach Police Department. Our commitment to student safety remains our top priority,” BPS said.
The school district said there’s a new principal for the time being at Roosevelt Elementary.
In a letter to parents, Superintendent Dr. Mark Rendell wrote, “We hold our leaders to the highest of standards, and if these allegations are true, it’s a complete failure in leadership and violation of our trust.”
Anyone with additional information about the party is asked to call Detective Rosa at 321-868-3248.
No other details, including the condition of the student who suffered the episode, have been released.
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