Video Allegedly Shows Alabama ‘Teacher Of The Year’ Beating Son With Belt

An Alabama teacher who was named “Teacher of the Year” was fired after allegedly beating her 12-year-old son with a belt, according to footage.

Mobile County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) investigators who viewed the video identified the woman as Randi Nicole Staples, 44, NBC 15 reported. She worked as a second-grade teacher at Cottage Hill Christian Academy and has since been terminated, according to a statement from the school

The video was reportedly filmed secretly and obtained by the outlet. A blonde-haired woman allegedly strikes a young boy with a belt times in the footage. The child can be heard crying before the same woman appears to grab him by his hair and yell profanities. She reportedly beat him 22 times.

Staples was named “Teacher of the Year,” according to a May 2025 Facebook post from an administrator

“To have teachers, mentors, adminstrators, and coaches who will train, encourage, educate, and inspire your littles with a fire in their hearts for Jesus Christ is the prayer of every faithful parent. Thank you CHCA-Cottage Hill Christian Academy for providing this for the growth and development of our children and so many others,” the post reads in part.

Authorities arrested and charged Staples with willful abuse, MCSO Public Affairs Director Lori L. Myles said. She was booked into the Mobile Metro Jail, Local 12 reported. However, Staples was released Wednesday after posting $7,500 bond, according to FOX 10.

MCSO Sheriff Paul Burch reacted to the video of Staples allegedly abusing her son, NBC 15 reported. “People are entitled to discipline their children how they choose, but that went well beyond discipline. It was abuse,” he said.

“And it was sickening to see somebody repeatedly strike their child, then grab them by the hair and yell and curse at them. 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 alleged.

Alabama Teacher of the Year arrested after video shows her beating son with belt https://t.co/oKPHPN77zi

— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) November 21, 2025

Staples’ son Jackson said obtained the video of the alleged abuse Tuesday, according to FOX 10. He no longer resides at the home.

“I didn’t feel like, you know, she should be working at the school or even doing that to my little brothers. You know, she done it to me my whole life, so I’m 24,” Jackson explained.

He claimed the incident seemed to stem from his younger brother not finishing his chores. “Something about he wasn’t cleaning the kitchen like he was supposed to be, he left, went to the neighbor’s house, come back and then it transpired into that,” Jackson told FOX 10. (RELATED: Teacher Allegedly Slams Autistic Boy To Ground, Fractures His Ankle)

Jackson said his younger brothers are currently living with their aunt.

The Daily Caller contacted the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office and Cottage Hill Christian Academy.