Authorities in Mobile County, Alabama, have arrested a second-grade teacher honored as "Teacher of the Year" just months ago after a disturbing video surfaced showing her allegedly beating her 12-year-old son more than 20 times with a belt.
Mobile County Sheriff’s deputies took 44-year-old Randi Nicole Staples into custody Wednesday on one count of willful abuse of a child.
The charge stems from a 15-second cellphone video recorded secretly by another son and posted online.
The footage shows Staples striking the boy at least 22 times with a belt, then yanking him off a couch by his hair while screaming profanities.
WATCH:
Sick Nicole Staples, a 44-year-old former Mobile teacher was arrested and fired after a disturbing video showed her hitting a child with a belt.
— Sumit (@SumitHansd) November 20, 2025
The older brother said the incident started because his younger brother had not completed his chores. pic.twitter.com/jzbiVQwciz
Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch described the footage as repulsive.
"People are entitled to discipline their children how they choose, but that went well beyond discipline. It was abuse," Burch said. "And it was sickening to see somebody that could, you know, repeatedly strike their child, and then grab them by the hair and yell and cuss at them, and then I think the last strike was across his arms … there was never any question or doubt that she was ultimately going to be arrested."
Burch noted the stark contrast with Staples’ public image at Cottage Hill Christian Academy, where she was named Teacher of the Year in May
"It’s almost like a dual personality. Because by all accounts, I’m told she is a good teacher and well respected. And yet what happens in the home is clearly opposite of that," Burch said.
District Attorney Keith Blackwood approved the child-abuse charge after reviewing the case.
Staples entered a written not guilty plea Thursday through attorney Louis Hale Jr. and requested a preliminary hearing.
Cottage Hill Christian Academy terminated Staples immediately after law enforcement confirmed the incident.
"Following the findings of law enforcement, which determined that the teacher had engaged in improper conduct unrelated to her school responsibilities, an arrest was made, and Cottage Hill Christian Academy terminated her employment in accordance with institutional policy," the school said in a statement.
Head of School Chris Brazell added that the academy prioritizes the well-being of children above all else and will continue cooperating with the Department of Human Resources and investigators.
Sheriff Burch confirmed the investigation remains active, with new information provided by an adult who no longer lives in the home.
The children are now in a safe location receiving services.
Staples remains out on bond.
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