BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – Three months after a teen party got out of control at a principal’s house, the state attorney’s office provided the first look on video of the criminal allegations against two former Roosevelt Elementary School employees.
On Monday, former third grade teacher Karly Anderson started a new job at Saturn Elementary School in Cocoa.
Anderson and Elizabeth Hill-Brodigan were arrested in January when Cocoa Beach police said 100 teen ages 13 to 17 came to the ‘white lie’ party at Principal Hill-Brodigan’s house.
On video shared by prosecutors, the state attorney’s office said Hill-Brodigan walked out of her house, observed the scene with a drunk boy on the front lawn being checked on by police, and then walked back inside.
Minutes later, Anderson is seen on the same officer’s body camera cursing at Officer Demetrius Brown about first responders treating intoxicated minors.
“I’m concerned about a child that’s being put into a machine, into one of these vehicles, and it’s not my [expletive] business,” Anderson shouted. “Cocoa Beach has gone [expletive] mad and nasty!”
In January, Anderson went on Inside Edition and said the incident and her arrest led to her losing her job.
“I’m retired today,” she said.
Also on Inside Edition, Anderson said she wasn’t at the party at the principal’s house.
“I was not attending the party,” she said.
However, Anderson is seen on video saying something different.
Officer Brown then raised his voice at her.
“I was here hanging out at this party,” Anderson said.
“You’re here with your boss having a party with 200 kids who are drinking,” Brown replied.
Police recommended charges including child neglect, just like the principal, but the state attorney’s office settled on prosecuting Anderson for misdemeanor charges - disorderly conduct and disorderly intoxication.
A statement from Brevard Public Schools Monday read, ‘The State Attorney cleared Karly Anderson of the felony charges. Department of Children and Family Services cleared Ms. Anderson as well. She’s a certified teacher and as of today she’s been placed by the district back into a classroom.’
Saturn parent Ashley Fernandez organized a small group to protest the decision at the start of school.
Fernandez told News 6 reporter James Sparvero parents were not informed about Anderson starting a new job there.“I found out online,” she said. “That, in alone, is infuriating. And then the fact that she has not even seen her day in court, yet,” the parent continued.
Fernandez said she plants to line up here every morning before school starts with other parents.
When asked for an update on the status of Hill-Brodigan within the district, Brevard Public Schools released the following statement on Monday:
“The State Attorney cleared Karly Anderson of the felony charges. Department of Children and Family Services cleared Ms. Anderson as well. She’s a certified teacher and as of today she’s been placed by the district back into a classroom.”
Brevard Public Schools
