A former Alabama Teacher of the Year has been arrested and dismissed from her position after disturbing footage emerged showing her violently beating her 12-year-old son with a belt more than twenty times.
Shocking Video Evidence Surfaces
Nicole Staples, a 44-year-old educator from Grand Bay who taught at Cottage Hill Christian Academy in Mobile, was taken into custody on Wednesday and charged with willful child abuse of a minor under eighteen. The arrest came after her eldest son received and shared online a deeply troubling video allegedly showing Staples assaulting her younger brother over unfinished household chores.
"I didn't feel like, you know, she should be working at the school or even doing that to my little brothers," Jackson Staples, her 24-year-old son, told Fox News. He revealed this wasn't an isolated incident, adding: "You know, she done it to me my whole life, so I'm 24."
Graphic Details of the Assault
The video, apparently filmed within the family home, shows a woman identified as Staples screaming profanities at her distressed son while he leans crying over a couch armrest. The footage then captures the woman raising a folded belt and repeatedly striking the boy's rear, leaving him clinging to furniture and weeping from the blows.
The assault escalates further as the woman grabs the child by his hair, slams him to the floor, then lifts and shoves him against a wall while continuing her verbal tirade. Jackson Staples explained the conflict began when his younger brother failed to clean the kitchen properly and visited a neighbour's house before returning home.
Swift Consequences and Ongoing Investigation
Following her arrest, Staples posted a $7,500 bond on Wednesday evening and was released from Metro Jail, reportedly rushing home in a golf cart. Meanwhile, Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch described the video's contents as "egregious" after reviewing the footage.
"I'm all about disciplining a child if you have problems with them, if that involves a spanking," Burch commented. "Everybody disciplines their children different ways, but that was way above and beyond any form of discipline."
Despite her release, Sheriff Burch emphasised the investigation remains active, noting: "There are probably more charges coming in the future." He also observed that "the fact that another person in the home felt the need to video... that is somewhat telling."
School Response and Family Impact
Although the incident occurred off campus, Cottage Hill Christian Academy acted promptly, terminating Staples' employment where she had previously received the Teacher of the Year honour.
"Cottage Hill Christian Academy prioritizes the well-being of children above all else," Head of School Chris Brazell stated. "We will always act promptly, transparently and responsibly when matters arise that may impact the safety or integrity of our school community."
The victim and his younger brothers are now staying with their aunt in Baldwin County. According to recent court documents, Staples has pleaded not guilty and requested a preliminary hearing in Mobile County District Court.
Sheriff Burch vowed to ensure the children receive necessary support, stating: "We're going to make sure the children get the resources that they need to, you know, help them cope with this. Hopefully she will feel the full force of the law when she faces a judge."
Staples is scheduled to appear before a judge for a formal bond hearing on Friday.
