Elizabeth Hill-Brodigan, a 47-year-old principal of Roosevelt Elementary School in Florida, has been arrested after hosting a party at her home where more than 100 underage kids were found drinking and partying.
Hill-Brodigan, along with Karly Anderson, a 45-year-old teacher at the same school, now faces charges of child neglect and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
The party, described as an “open house,” had kids wearing matching t-shirts and coolers filled with alcohol. Cocoa Beach Police discovered the gathering when they responded to reports of underage drinking.
During the incident, one child was found on the front lawn suffering from what police described as an alcohol-related medical issue. Emergency responders from Brevard County Fire Rescue had to provide treatment. Police stated that Hill-Brodigan was seen turning off her house lights during this time, forcing emergency crews to rely on their vehicle lights to help the juvenile.
In another related incident, a traffic stop near the home led to the arrest of an intoxicated juvenile and the driver for DUI.
Anderson admitted to police that she was intoxicated at the party. Both Hill-Brodigan and Anderson were arrested, with Hill-Brodigan posting a $3,500 bond and Anderson posting a $3,000 bond. Online records show they were later released, and no court dates have been set.
Hill-Brodigan became the principal of Roosevelt Elementary on May 2, 2024. On the school’s website, she had expressed her excitement about her role, saying she was “over the moon” to lead the school and had spent 23 years serving Brevard County students and families.
She had written that her students, families, and staff were “very close to her heart,” adding that she enjoyed her work.
The shocking incident has left many questioning the judgment of both the principal and the teacher, given their responsibilities in the community. Both women now face a felony charge of child neglect as investigations continue.