Viral video shows Alabama teacher beating 12-year-old son 14 times in 22 seconds, leading to felony arrest

An Alabama teacher’s shocking double life unraveled after a video surfaced showing her brutally beating her 12-year-old son 22 times in just 14 seconds, leading to her arrest and the swift termination of her employment.

Randi Nicole Staples, 44, a 2nd-grade teacher at Cottage Hill Christian Academy in Mobile, Alabama, was taken into custody after the video, briefly posted on Facebook, showed her hitting her son with what appeared to be a belt or strap, then lifting him by his hair and shouting profanities. The Mobile County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the child in the video is Staples’ son.

The footage, filmed inside a private home by a family member, quickly drew public outrage before it was removed.

Sheriff calls actions “repulsive”

Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch described the incident as “repulsive” and beyond any acceptable form of discipline.

“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.”

Living a double life

Staples, who had been honored as Cottage Hill Christian Academy’s Teacher of the Year in May, was arrested and booked into the Mobile Metro Jail. She faces felony charges of willful abuse of a child under 18. Through her attorney, Louis Hale Jr., Staples has entered a plea of not guilty and requested a preliminary hearing.

School’s reaction

Although the incident occurred off-campus, Cottage Hill Christian Academy acted immediately upon learning of the allegations on November 19, 2025. The school placed Staples on administrative leave and launched an independent investigation, fully cooperating with law enforcement.

“Cottage Hill Christian Academy is committed to providing a safe, nurturing, and Christ-centered environment for all students. This commitment guides every action our school takes regarding student welfare and staff conduct.”

The school added it is cooperating with the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, the City of Mobile Police Department, the Department of Human Resources, and the Mobile County District Attorney’s Office as the investigation continues.