A teacher from South Alabama has been arrested after a disturbing video surfaced online, allegedly showing her repeatedly striking a child with a belt. Nicole Staples, a second-grade educator at Cottage Hill Christian Academy, now faces charges of willful abuse of a child under 18.
The Mobile County Sheriff’s Office reported that the video depicts Staples outside of the school hitting the child over 20 times and subsequently pulling him by his hair. In light of the incident, Cottage Hill announced her immediate dismissal in accordance with their policies.
Chris Brazell, Head of School, emphasized the institution’s commitment to child welfare, stating, “Cottage Hill Christian Academy prioritizes the wellbeing of children above all else. We will always act promptly, transparently, and responsibly when matters arise that may impact the safety or integrity of our school community.”
Notably, Staples had been recognized as co-Teacher of the Year just months prior to her arrest, an accolade that has since been removed from social media platforms. The school initially responded to public outrage on Facebook, expressing their awareness of the off-campus incident and confirming that authorities were involved in an ongoing investigation.
As the situation develops, the sheriff’s office has indicated that additional details will be released as appropriate. This incident raises critical concerns about child safety and the responsibilities of educators, highlighting the importance of vigilance in school environments.