COCOA BEACH, FL - Authorities with the Cocoa Beach Police Department (CBPD) said that an elementary school principal and another school employee have been arrested for allegedly throwing a house party that provided alcohol to over 100 underage teenagers.
According to Fox News, CBPD said that 47-year-old Elizabeth Hill-Brodigan, principal of Roosevelt Elementary School and another teacher, Karly Anderson, were arrested in connection to a large, rowdy house party, full of underage drinking. The party took place on Sunday, January 19th, and allegedly was not the first one.
Officers responded to the home, which belonged to Hill-Brodigan, on reports of a house party. When officers arrived, they discovered over 100 teenagers in matching t-shirts. Officers said that many of them were consuming alcohol, which was available in coolers allegedly provided by the principal.
An arrest affidavit shows the graphic details of the party shared by the teenagers who attended. One of the students at the party told investigators that "most students knew that Hill-Brodigan was the principal and that parties like this happened once or twice a month." Students told police that the principal advised them to come over early and help to set up the party and that the alcohol was available in the red and white coolers.
Students said that Hill-Brodigan made "no attempt to stop the party and was OK with what was happening." The party was also allegedly advertised on SnapChat and hosted by the principal's two sons.
Officers stated that one teen was found to be "suffering from an alcohol related medical event" in the front yard, adding that the teen was "so heavily intoxicated" that Brevard County Fire and Rescue had to respond to treat the teen. Police said that when EMS arrived on scene, Hill-Brodigan turned off all the outside lights and rushed into her home.
Police said fire and rescue crews then had to use lights from their vehicles to treat the sick teen once she turned off all the outside lights of her home. Police said that in addition to that event, a traffic stop was conducted near her home and resulted in the arrest of an underage teen for a DUI.
Police said that Anderson, who was intoxicated, approached officers on scene and identified herself as a teacher. It was later discovered that she was a third grade teacher at the same elementary school that Hill-Brodigan was the principal of. Authorities 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. CBPD Detective Sgt. Taylor Payne said that what happened at that party was "absolutely inappropriate." He said, "It's absolutely inappropriate just on its face, and it's even more inappropriate considering these people's standing in the community."
The allegations against both Anderson and Hill-Brodigan are unacceptable and represent a serious lapse in judgment by individuals who were trusted to educate and keep children safe. Payne added, "The Cocoa Beach Police Department has a zero-tolerance stance on this kind of behavior, especially when it comes to people who are role models — people in charge of these children every single day."
The Brevard County School District issued a statement saying, "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."
Both Anderson and Hill-Brodigan have been placed on administrative leave pending the results of the active police investigation. The school district sent an email to parents telling them that they are actively looking for Hill-Brodigan's replacement after her arrest was confirmed.
