Archive · 25 Nov 2025
Alabama Teacher of Year Arrested for Child Abuse
A teacher who was once named 'Teacher of the Year' in Alabama got in big trouble.
A video showed her hitting her 12-year-old son with a belt many times because he didn't do his chores.
The video was shared online by her older son.
The teacher was arrested and fired from her job.
The police and the school say what she did was very wrong.
The boy is now staying with his aunt, and the teacher will go to court soon.
Randi Nicole Staples, a former 'Teacher of the Year' at Cottage Hill Christian Academy, was arrested for allegedly beating her 12-year-old son with a belt.
The incident was captured in a viral video shared by her 24-year-old son, Jackson Staples, who said the abuse had been ongoing.
Staples was charged with willful abuse of a child under 18 and pleaded not guilty.
Cottage Hill Christian Academy terminated Staples' employment following the incident.
The boy is currently staying with his aunt in Baldwin County, and Staples is set to appear in court for a formal bond hearing.
- Who
- Randi Nicole Staples, a former 'Teacher of the Year' at Cottage Hill Christian Academy
- What
- Assaulted her 12-year-old son with a belt, captured in a viral video
- When
- The incident occurred recently, with the video shared on social media
- Where
- Inside the family's home in Mobile, Alabama
- Why
- The boy reportedly did not complete his chores
- Name
- Randi Nicole Staples
- Age
- 44
- Occupation
- Former Second-Grade Teacher
- School
- Cottage Hill Christian Academy
- Location
- Mobile, Alabama
- Charges
- Willful Abuse of a Child Under 18
- Plea
- Not Guilty
- Next Court Date
- Friday (Formal Bond Hearing)