Elizabeth Hill-Brodigan, a former Cocoa Beach elementary school principal, pleaded no contest on Feb. 2 to three misdemeanors after a Jan. 19, 2025 house party at her home where more than 100 juveniles reportedly drank alcohol and used drugs. Prosecutors recommended two years of probation, and a felony child-neglect charge was dropped as part of the deal. One teenager was hospitalized for alcohol poisoning and another was arrested on suspicion of DUI. The court also imposed restrictions barring unsupervised contact with minors and prohibiting hosting gatherings with alcohol or marijuana when under-21s are present.
Ex-Cocoa Beach Principal Avoids Jail After Alcohol-Fueled Party Involving Over 100 Minors
Elizabeth Hill-BrodiganBrevard County Sheriff's Office
Elizabeth Hill-Brodigan, a former elementary school principal in Cocoa Beach, Florida, will not serve jail time after pleading no contest to three misdemeanor counts tied to a large, alcohol-fueled house party where dozens of minors were reportedly drinking and using drugs.
Court Outcome
On Feb. 2, Hill-Brodigan, 48, entered no contest pleas to one misdemeanor count of hosting an open house party where alcohol was consumed by minors and to two misdemeanor counts of contributing to the delinquency of minors. Prosecutors recommended a two-year probation term. If she completes that probation without incident, the three misdemeanor counts may be dismissed from her record. A felony child-neglect charge was dropped as part of the plea agreement.
Hill-Brodigan had been the principal at Roosevelt Elementary SchoolGoogle Maps
What Happened
The charges stem from a Jan. 19, 2025 incident at Hill-Brodigan’s Cocoa Beach residence, roughly five miles south of Cape Canaveral. Police say more than 100 juveniles — many between 13 and 17 years old — attended the gathering. Responding officers found at least one teenager shaking and vomiting on the front lawn; that teen was taken to a nearby hospital and treated for alcohol poisoning. Another teen was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, according to the police report.
Restrictions And Consequences
The court ordered Hill-Brodigan to avoid unsupervised contact with minors and barred her from hosting events where alcohol or marijuana is available if anyone under 21 is present. Prosecutors said they were satisfied with the resolution after the plea was entered. Hill-Brodigan and a teacher arrested in connection with the same party were both dismissed from their school positions.
Related Case
Karly Anderson, a teacher arrested alongside Hill-Brodigan, was also sentenced to probation. Anderson is appealing that sentence; a prior motion to end her probation early was denied by the court after her attorney argued she had satisfied the terms.
Note: The plea spares Hill-Brodigan prison time but includes significant restrictions and the potential for the misdemeanor counts to be cleared only if she completes probation without further incidents.
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