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Former Alabama Teacher Arrested and Fired After Video Shows Alleged Beating of 12-Year-Old

01:30 AM, 11/22/2025
Former Alabama Teacher Arrested and Fired After Video Shows Alleged Beating of 12-Year-Old

A 44-year-old former teacher, Randi Nicole Staples, was arrested and fired after a family video reportedly showed her striking her 12-year-old son about 20 times with a belt. The Mobile County Sheriff’s Office says other children in the home reported similar treatment and that additional charges may follow as the investigation continues. Cottage Hill Christian Academy placed the teacher on leave after being notified and later terminated her employment. Staples posted a $7,500 bond and the probe remains active.

A former Alabama elementary school teacher has been arrested and terminated after a video reportedly showed her striking her 12-year-old son repeatedly with a belt, authorities said.

Officials identified the woman as 44-year-old Randi Nicole Staples, a former employee of Cottage Hill Christian Academy. She faces a charge of willful abuse of a child under 18 after a family member recorded the alleged incident at the family's home in Grand Bay, Alabama.

What happened

According to the sheriff's office, the recording appears to show Staples directing the child to lie across the arm of a sofa and then striking him on his bottom and legs about 20 times with a belt while the child pleaded for her to stop. Investigators say the alleged incident followed a disagreement over household chores.

“Discipline is supposed to be for corrective action. That went way beyond that,” Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch said. “Snatch him up by his hair and yell and curse the way that she did, working for a Christian school, I thought was repulsive. It’s sickening to see somebody do that to their child.”

Investigation and response

Deputies interviewed several witnesses and said other children living in the home reported similar treatment. An adult who no longer lives in the residence provided additional information considered significant to the ongoing investigation.

Sheriff Burch confirmed that the other children have been placed in a safe location agreed upon by both parents and that ensuring their welfare and access to services is a priority. He also warned that additional charges are possible as the probe continues.

School action

Cottage Hill Christian Academy, which operates two campuses in Mobile, stated that it was notified on November 19, 2025, about concerns involving an off-campus incident with an elementary teacher and her minor child. Although the alleged conduct occurred off school property, the school said the information prompted immediate administrative action.

The academy said it promptly removed the teacher from duties and placed her on administrative leave pending review. After law enforcement findings prompted further action, the school terminated her employment in accordance with institutional policy.

Staples was released from custody after posting a $7,500 bond. The sheriff's office described the investigation as active and ongoing.

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