A Florida elementary school principal and another school employee were arrested for allegedly throwing a booze-filled house party with over 100 underage teenagers. Cocoa Beach Police Department said Roosevelt Elementary School principal Elizabeth Hill-Brodigan, 47, and another teacher, Karly Anderson, were arrested in connection to a rowdy house party.
The incident happened on Sunday, January 19, when officers responded to a home belonging to Hill-Brodigan, in reference to a house party. When officers arrived, they discovered over 100 teenagers in matching t-shirts, many of whom were consuming alcohol that was available in coolers allegedly provided by Hill-Brodigan.
Students told police that Hill-Brodigan advised them to come over early and help set up the party, where alcohol was available in red and white coolers. According to the students, Hill-Brodigan made “no attempt to stop the party and was ok with what was happening.” Students also claimed that marijuana was being used at the party and a male teen, wearing a mask, was taking videos with a firearm and pointing it at the person filming.
The party was also allegedly advertised on Snapchat and hosted by Hill-Brodigan’s two sons. Police said both educators face multiple charges, including child neglect, and have been placed on administrative leave by the school district as the police investigation continues.
One teen was found to be “suffering from an alcohol-related medical event” in the front yard, and Brevard County Fire and Rescue had to respond to treat the teen. Additionally, police say a traffic stop was conducted near the home and resulted in the arrest of an underage teen for a DUI.
Anderson, who authorities said was intoxicated, approached officers on scene and identified herself as a teacher. It was later discovered by the police that she was a third-grade teacher at Roosevelt Elementary School, the same school Hill-Brodigan was the principal at.
Officials 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 also charged with child neglect and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Cocoa Beach Police Detective Sgt. Taylor Payne said what happened was “absolutely inappropriate” and that the allegations against both Anderson and Hill-Brodigan are unacceptable and represent serious lapses in judgment by individuals who were trusted to educate and keep children safe.
The Brevard County School District shared a statement expressing their concern over the incident and said both Hill-Brodigan and Anderson have been placed on administrative leave pending the results of an active police investigation.