A Florida elementary school principal and a third-grade teacher are facing criminal charges after hosting a house "white lie party," attended by over 100 teenagers, some as young as 13, where minors consumed alcohol, police said.
The Cocoa Beach Police Department responded to the scene Sunday night (January 19th) after reports of a large gathering involving minors. The home, located on Country Club Road, belongs to Elizabeth Hill-Brodigan, principal of Roosevelt Elementary School.
Officers discovered a "heavily intoxicated" kid on the front lawn suffering a medical emergency. During the incident, Hill-Brodigan hindered EMS efforts by turning off the home's outside lights, police said.
The event, described as a "white lie party," featured attendees aged 13 to 17 wearing customized t-shirts with messages of deceit, according to police as reported by FOX35.
"It's absolutely inappropriate just on its face, and it's even more inappropriate considering these people's standing in the community," Detective Sgt. Taylor Payne of the Cocoa Beach Police Department said.
The party attracted minors from various schools in Brevard County, according to investigators.
Karly Anderson, identified as an adult at the party and a third-grade teacher at the same school, was reportedly intoxicated. Both women have since been arrested on charges of child neglect and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
A juvenile leaving the event was arrested during a traffic stop for driving under the influence. Meanwhile, police were temporarily diverted by a false "swatting" call reporting an armed altercation at nearby parks.
"We believe this was made to have officers leave that area," Payne explained while discussing the premeditated nature of the hoax call.
The fake call allegedly described a dramatic hostage situation and gunfire but was ultimately found to be baseless. Authorities are still investigating the call's origin and anticipate pressing charges against those responsible.
The arrests of Hill-Brodigan and Anderson have sparked shock within the community, particularly given their positions of power and responsibility over children.
In response to a Facebook post about the incident, users expressed disbelief.
"This is crazy. What is wrong with people today?", one commented.
"Wow, she must be out of her mind," another wrote.
The Brevard County School District has placed both women on administrative leave.
"We are extremely troubled by these accusations and are fully cooperating with the Cocoa Beach Police Department. Our commitment to student safety remains our top priority," a district statement said.
Hill-Brodigan and Anderson were arrested Friday, and police continue to investigate. Authorities are probing whether other adults were involved in facilitating the event and to what extent minors consumed alcohol or required further medical attention.
"The Cocoa Beach Police Department has a zero-tolerance stance on this kind of behavior," Payne added. "Especially when it comes to people who are role models — people in charge of these children every single day."
The principal and teacher are expected to appear in court after bond is decided.
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