MOBILE, Ala. (NBC 15) — A teacher in Mobile, Alabama, was taken into custody after an unsettling video of a beating surfaced online.
44-year-old Randi Nicole Staples, a 2nd-grade teacher at Cottage Hill Christian Academy, was arrested after a troubling video — reportedly showing 22 strikes over 14 seconds — was posted on Facebook.
The outlet reports that the video, filmed inside a home by a family member, shows Staples hitting her 12-year-old child with what appears to be a belt or strap before picking him up by his hair and berating him with profanity.
The Mobile County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Staples is the child’s mother.
The video was online only briefly before being removed.
A Facebook post from Cottage Hill Christian Academy shows that Staples was honored as Teacher of the Year in May.
“It’s almost like a dual personality. Because by all accounts, I’m told she is a good teacher and well respected. And yet what happens in the home is clearly opposite of that,” Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch said.
Cottage Hill Christian Academy issued the following statement to WPMI after the video surfaced:
Following the findings of law enforcement, which determined that the teacher had engaged in improper conduct unrelated to her school responsibilities, an arrest was made, and Cottage Hill Christian Academy terminated her employment in accordance with institutional policy.
The school added that it will cooperate with the Department of Human Resources, the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, and the Mobile County District Attorney’s Office as the investigation continues.
Staples was arrested and booked into the Mobile Metro Jail. She is charged with the following, according to the reports:
- Willful abuse of a child under 18 (felony)
Nicole Staples, through her attorney Louis Hale, Jr, has filed a written plea of not guilty and requested a preliminary hearing be set.
Sheriff Burch described Staples’ actions in the video as “repulsive.”
“People are entitled to discipline their children how they choose, but that went well beyond discipline. It was abuse,” he said. “And it was sickening to see somebody repeatedly strike their child, then grab them by the hair and yell and curse at them. I think the last strike was across his arms there was never any question or doubt that she was ultimately going to be arrested.”
Here is Cottage Hill Christian Academy’s full statement:
Cottage Hill Christian Academy is committed to providing a safe, nurturing, and Christ-centered environment for all students. This commitment guides every action our school takes regarding student welfare and staff conduct.On November 19, 2025, school leadership was made aware of concerns involving the off-campus conduct of an elementary teacher toward her minor child at her personal residence. Although the incident did not occur on school property, the nature of the information required immediate administrative action.Upon learning of the alleged misconduct, the school acted swiftly and decisively, relieving the teacher of her duties and placing her on administrative leave pending a full review.Cottage Hill Christian Academy promptly cooperated with the City of Mobile Police Department and the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office and an independent investigation was initiated.Following the findings of law enforcement, which determined that the teacher had engaged in improper conduct unrelated to her school responsibilities, an arrest was made and Cottage Hill Christian Academy terminated her employment in accordance with institutional policy.“Cottage Hill Christian Academy prioritizes the wellbeing of children above all else,” said Head of School Chris Brazell. “We will always act promptly, transparently, and responsibly when matters arise that may impact the safety or integrity of our school community.The school will continue to cooperate with the Department of Human Resources, the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office and the Mobile County District Attorney’s Office in this matter.
