A former educator from Alabama has been taken into custody and dismissed from her position following the release of a video that allegedly depicts her hitting her child with a belt over 20 times, authorities confirmed.

The accused, 44-year-old Randi Nicole Staples, was previously employed at Cottage Hill Christian Academy. She now faces charges of willful child abuse involving a minor under 18, as reported by WALA.

“Discipline should serve as a corrective measure, but this incident far exceeded that,” stated Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch. “To see her grab the child by the hair, shout, and use profanity, particularly as an employee of a Christian school, was appalling. Witnessing such treatment of a child is deeply disturbing,” he added.

According to the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, the alleged incident occurred because the child failed to complete chores to Staples’ satisfaction, as reported by the station.

Randi Nicole Staples, whose image has been shared from the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, was a former teacher at Cottage Hill Christian Academy, which operates two campuses in Mobile, Alabama.

“It’s almost like a dual personality. Because by all accounts, I’m told she is a good teacher and well respected. And yet what happens in the home is clearly opposite of that,” Burch also said, according to NBC 15. 

The Mobile County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement that, “A video recorded by a family member appears to show Randi Nicole Staples instructing her 12-year-old son to lay across the arm of their sofa inside the residence in Grand Bay, Alabama.”

“Staples then allegedly struck her son on his bottom and legs approximately 20 times with a belt, during which the son can be heard pleading for her to stop,” the statement continued, adding that deputies “interviewed several witnesses and found that other children living in the home had encountered similar actions.”

“There’s an adult who no longer lives in the home that has contributed some information that is significant to the investigation. This is an active investigation and we are continuing to interview others involved,” Burch said in a statement. “The other children in the home are in a safe place right now, that both parents agreed to, and that was our first priority. We want to make sure they are provided the services they need to move forward.
There could be additional charges forthcoming as this investigation unfolds.” 

The Cottage Hill Christian Academy has terminated the employment of Randi Nicole Staples. (Google Maps)

The Academy, which has two locations in Mobile, told NBC 15 in a statement that it is “committed to providing a safe, nurturing, and Christ-centered environment for all students,” and that, “This commitment guides every action our school takes regarding student welfare and staff conduct.” 

“On November 19, 2025, school leadership was made aware of concerns involving the off-campus conduct of an elementary teacher toward her minor child at her personal residence. Although the incident did not occur on school property, the nature of the information required immediate administrative action,” the statement continued.

“Upon learning of the alleged misconduct, the school acted swiftly and decisively, relieving the teacher of her duties and placing her on administrative leave pending a full review,” it also said. “Following the findings of law enforcement, which determined that the teacher had engaged in improper conduct unrelated to her school responsibilities, an arrest was made and Cottage Hill Christian Academy terminated her employment in accordance with institutional policy.” 

Staples was released from jail on Wednesday after posting a $7,500 bond, WALA reported.