In a shocking incident that has drawn significant public attention, a Florida elementary school principal, Elizabeth Hill Broadigan, has been implicated in hosting a large underage drinking party at her home. The Cocoa Beach party, which reportedly involved around 200 teenagers, began on the evening of January 19, 2025, just before the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend.
According to police reports, multiple calls were made to dispatchers regarding the rowdy gathering, which included numerous cars parked haphazardly along the street, blocking traffic. Officers responded to the scene and discovered a chaotic environment characterized by loud music, underage drinking, and even marijuana use. Body camera footage released from the incident captured interactions between law enforcement and partygoers, including a confrontation with Broadigan herself, who allegedly attempted to downplay the situation.
During the police visit, officers were informed that Broadigan, the principal of Roosevelt Elementary School, was not only aware of the party but had reportedly assisted in its preparations. An arrest affidavit indicates that she communicated with officers, claiming she would address the situation, yet continued to allow the party to unfold. Witness statements from students corroborated that Broadigan was present at the gathering and made no substantial effort to intervene despite the escalating chaos.
The situation escalated further when officers encountered a teenage boy who appeared to be severely intoxicated. Despite the apparent need for medical attention, some attendees were reluctant to disclose the boy’s age or condition. As officers attempted to manage the scene, Broadigan was observed confronting first responders, appearing to express frustration about the police’s handling of the situation while being accused of intoxication herself.
Carly Anderson, a third-grade teacher at Roosevelt Elementary who was also present at the party, was arrested days later and charged with misdemeanor offenses related to disorderly conduct and intoxication. Reports indicate that Anderson initially refused to cooperate with police inquiries and expressed a desire to avoid involvement in the case.
Following the incident, both Broadigan and Anderson faced scrutiny regarding their roles in the event, prompting an investigation by the Brevard County School District. Anderson was initially reassigned to a different school after being cleared of felony charges, but backlash from the community regarding her behavior at the party and the subsequent release of police body camera footage led to a reversal of that decision. The district’s superintendent emphasized that the actions depicted in the footage were “completely unacceptable” and warranted further investigation.
As for Broadigan, she has been suspended without pay and is facing serious charges, including felony child neglect and misdemeanor counts of hosting an open house party and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Both educators are scheduled to appear in court for updates on their respective cases, with Anderson’s arraignment set for May 13 and Broadigan’s for April 29.
This incident has sparked outrage among parents and community members, raising questions about the standards of conduct expected from educators and the repercussions of their actions. The school district has committed to conducting a thorough review as the situation continues to unfold.