COCOA BEACH, Fla. – The State Attorney’s Office for the 18th Judicial Circuit on Tuesday filed charges against two Brevard County educators related to a teenage house party in Cocoa Beach.
Read the full story on the website of News4JAX’s partner station, WKMG.
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Police said the January party was attended by more than 100 juveniles, many of whom had been drinking and had access to alcohol available in coolers at the home owned by Elizabeth Hill-Brodigan, the former principal at Roosevelt Elementary School.
The state attorney’s office charged Hill-Brodigan with one count of child neglect, a third-degree felony that could result in up to five years in prison, five years of probation and a $5,000 fine.
Additionally, Hill-Brodigan is charged with five counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, each a first-degree misdemeanor. Each count carries a potential penalty of up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. She is also charged with one count of holding an open house party, a second-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to 60 days in jail, six months of probation and/or a $500 fine.
Karly Anderson, a former third-grade teacher at Roosevelt Elementary, is charged with one count of disorderly conduct, a second-degree misdemeanor that could lead to up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine. Additionally, Anderson is charged with one count of disorderly intoxication, which carries the same potential penalties as the disorderly conduct charge.
According to authorities, Anderson approached officers while intoxicated and said she was a teacher and had been at the party.
When police arrived at the home on Jan. 19, they observed a large crowd, many of whom were wearing matching T-shirts. At one point, police located a juvenile on the front lawn who was so heavily intoxicated that Brevard County Fire Rescue had to treat them, police said.
While that was happening, according to police, Hill-Brodigan was seen by officers in the driveway of her home turning off the outside lights and entering her residence, causing BCFR to use auxiliary lighting on their vehicle to treat the child.
Police also conducted a traffic stop near the home, which resulted in the arrest of the juvenile driver for DUI.
The state attorney’s office released the following statement on Tuesday.
Florida’s laws dealing with open house parties and underage drinking are meant to keep our young people and communities safe. These laws are in place to deter the conduct that exposes our youth to harm and gives rise to these criminal charges. When laws are violated, the State Attorney’s Office stands with law enforcement, the school board and the community we serve to hold the offenders accountable and ensure the safety of our youth.
State Attorney William Scheiner, 18th Judicial Circuit, Brevard County
Hill-Brodigan and Anderson remain free on bond, and their cases are being prosecuted separately.
Their next court hearings have not been scheduled as of March 31.