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Florida teacher arrested in alleged drunken house party investigation resigns

By
FOX 35 Orlando
Brevard County
Updated January 31, 2025 12:31 AM EST Published January 31, 2025 12:22 AM EST
Teacher arrested in alleged drunken house party resigns
Teacher arrested in alleged drunken house party resigns

Teacher arrested in alleged drunken house party resigns

The elementary school teacher accused of berating officers and being present at a drunken house party with kids resigned from teaching at Brevard Public Schools on Friday. FOX 35 News confirmed Karly Anderson’s resignation with BPS school officials.

The Brief

    • Karly Anderson, a former Brevard County teacher, resigned after being charged in connection to a house party where minors were allegedly drinking.
    • Anderson's attorney denies the allegations, stating she was only helping a friend and did not provide alcohol or berate officers.
    • The state attorney’s office is still reviewing the case, and if charges are not dropped, it may go to trial.

COCOA BEACH, Fla. - The elementary school teacher accused of berating officers and being present at a drunken house party with kids resigned from teaching at Brevard Public Schools (BPS) on Friday.
FOX 35 News confirmed Karly Anderson’s resignation with BPS school officials. 

Anderson's attorney wants all charges dropped 

What we know:

Anderson, a former third-grade teacher at Roosevelt Elementary, resigned from Brevard Public Schools following her arrest. 

Cocoa Beach Police arrested her a week ago and charged her with child neglect and contributing to the delinquency of a minor in connection to a house party where minors were allegedly drinking. 

Anderson’s attorney, Ken Weaver, denies the allegations, stating she was merely assisting her friend, Roosevelt Elementary Principal Elizabeth Hill-Brodigan, who was also arrested. Police reports claim Anderson berated officers at the scene, but her attorney disputes this characterization.

Weaver claims Hill-Brodigan, who was also arrested and lives nearby, picked up his client to go to dinner on the night of the alleged party. Then, police started calling them about the house party reportedly happening at the principal’s house.

Weaver says his client went to the house to help her friend, Hill-Brodigan, and didn’t provide alcohol or drink with any kids.

Police claim they found a minor passed out in the grass, vomiting and shaking, leading to Anderson’s arrest. She has since denied any wrongdoing and has chosen not to speak on camera.

What we don't know:

The state attorney’s office has not yet decided whether to proceed with charges, leaving Anderson’s legal fate uncertain. It is unclear whether Anderson will receive a severance package or pension from Brevard Public Schools. Additionally, questions remain about the exact circumstances of the party, including who provided alcohol and how minors were involved.

What they're saying:

Anderson’s attorney, Ken Weaver, is not only fighting the charges, he wants all charges dropped by the state attorney. He told FOX 35's Esther Bower over the phone his client never partied with students and the entire situation cost Anderson her job. 

FOX 35’s Esther Bower asked the attorney about the police report where officers said Andeson berated them while EMS tried to help a kid passed out who was allegedly vomiting and shaking in the grass. 

Weaver said, "I don’t believe that. She is polite and refined. I don’t think she was berating anybody and can note she has not been charged with resisting or obstructing an officer."

The attorney went on to say, "I think police made a lot of assumptions that are not true."

FOX 35 reached out to the state attorney’s office about the status of this case and a spokesperson with the 18th Judicial Circuit replied with a statement.

"The state attorney’s office is still reviewing information provided by the Cocoa Beach police department and has not yet made a decision on charges in this case. We cannot comment on an open investigation or decision whether to prosecute," the statement read.

Neither Weaver nor Anderson would agree to an in-person, on camera interview at this time.

Why you should care:

This case raises broader concerns about teacher conduct, due process, and how allegations can impact an educator’s career before a legal resolution is reached. The involvement of a school principal adds another layer of controversy, potentially affecting trust in local school leadership. If the case goes to trial, it could set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future.

What's next:


We asked the school district if Anderson is getting a severance package or any pension since she decided to retire. At this time, we have not heard back. If charges aren’t dropped, this case will likely head to trial.

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The Source: This story was written based on information shared by the Brevard County School District, the Cocoa Beach Police Department, attorney Ken Weaver and the State Attorney's Office for the 18th Judicial Circuit.

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