John Jefferson
Insets, left to right: Elizabeth Hill-Brodigan, Karly Anderson (Brevard County Sheriff’s Office). Background: Roosevelt Elementary School in Cocoa Beach, Florida (WFOL/YouTube).
An elementary school principal and third grade teacher in Florida are facing criminal charges for throwing a “white lie party” where more than 100 kids age 13 to 17 — including one that got a DUI — were caught drinking alcohol and wearing T-shirts with a “white lie” written on them, according to police.
Elizabeth Hill-Brodigan, a former teacher of the year and current principal of Roosevelt Elementary School, was arrested and charged as the owner of the home where the house party was allegedly held in Cocoa Beach. Karly Anderson, the third grade teacher, was allegedly at the party and drinking along with the youths, with the Cocoa Beach Police Department reporting her as being intoxicated.
“It’s absolutely inappropriate just on its face, and it’s even more inappropriate considering these people’s standing in the community,” Detective Sgt. Taylor Payne told local Fox affiliate WFOL.
The party, which was held on Jan. 19, featured booze-filled coolers and other party favors scattered throughout Hill-Brodigan’s home, according to police. She and Anderson allegedly turned off the outside lights to avoid drawing attention, while the teens also attempted to distract police by phoning in a hoax “swatting” call at a local skate park, police say.
“We believe this was made to have officers leave that area,” Payne told WFOL. “This phone call detailed that there were people holding people at gunpoint, people were shooting weapons off, and this was alleged to be at the skate park.”
At least two partygoers came into contact with authorities that night, according to cops, with one being stopped for DUI and another being found in Hill-Brodigan’s front yard suffering from a medical emergency due to being “heavily intoxicated,” police say.
Hill-Brodigan, 47, allegedly turned off her home’s exterior lights when EMS arrived to treat the teen and also was seen going back inside after coming out to inspect what happened.
“We are extremely troubled by these accusations and are fully cooperating with the Cocoa Beach Police Department,” the Brevard County School District said in a statement. “Our commitment to student safety remains our top priority.”
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Hill-Brodigan and Anderson were both arrested Friday following an investigation by Cocoa Beach Police that included interviews with kids and parents. Online jail records viewed by Law&Crime show that Hill-Brodigan faces charges of child neglect, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and hosting an open house party. Anderson has been charged with child neglect and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
“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,” Payne told WFOL. “People in charge of these children and younger, every single day.”
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