Alabama ‘Teacher of the Year’ Arrested After Video Allegedly Shows Her Beating 12-Year-Old Son with a Belt
MOBILE, ALABAMA — A 2nd-grade teacher who was recently named Teacher of the Year at an Alabama elementary school has been arrested and fired after a disturbing video allegedly showed her beating her 12-year-old son with a belt, according to investigators.
Authorities identified the suspect as Nicole Staples, a former teacher at Cottage Hill Christian Academy in Mobile. Staples was charged with willful abuse of a child under 18 after the footage surfaced online, leading to her immediate termination from the school.
Video Leaked by Her Own Son
The video, which circulated widely on social media, was reportedly leaked by Staples’s 24-year-old son, Jackson Staples, who said he could no longer stay silent about the alleged abuse.
“I didn’t feel like she should be working at the school or doing that to my little brothers,” Jackson told reporters, explaining why he shared the footage. He also claimed his mother had abused him throughout his own childhood, saying, “She’s done it to me my whole life.”
The video allegedly shows Staples striking her younger son repeatedly with a belt while shouting at him. Police have confirmed that investigators verified the footage before issuing an arrest warrant.
School and Community Reaction
Officials at Cottage Hill Christian Academy confirmed that Staples has been terminated effective immediately and that the school is cooperating with local law enforcement.
“She was recognized as Teacher of the Year just last May,” a school representative said. “We are deeply disturbed by these allegations and are prioritizing the safety and well-being of all students connected to this case.”
Parents and community members expressed shock online, with many calling for stricter vetting processes for educators and stronger penalties in cases involving child abuse by school employees.
NEW: ‘Teacher of the Year’ at an Alabama elementary school arrested after a horrific video of her allegedly beating her 12-year-old son with a belt was leaked by the boy’s older brother.
2nd-grade teacher Nicole Staples has been charged & fired from her job.
Staples’s older… pic.twitter.com/sAZL0l6wef
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) November 24, 2025
Legal Proceedings and Family Support
Staples remains under investigation and is expected to appear in court for a bond hearing later this month. The Department of Human Resources has been notified, and child protective services are now involved to ensure the safety of the minor victims.
Meanwhile, Jackson Staples has been praised online for his courage in exposing the abuse. “What a brave brother he is,” one commenter wrote. “He probably saved his little brother’s life.”
For ongoing updates on this case and other major criminal investigations, visit NapervilleLocal.com.
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