Crime
Cottage Hill Christian Academy Teacher Nicole Staples Arrested After Viral Video Shows Her Repeatedly Beating Child With Belt
A Cottage Hill Christian Academy educator has been terminated and taken into custody after a viral social media video allegedly showed her physically assaulting a child with a belt more than 20 times during an off-campus incident.
The footage, which quickly circulated online, sparked widespread outrage and prompted an immediate investigation by authorities.
The suspect, identified as Nicole Staples, has been charged with willful abuse of a child under the age of 18.
According to the Mobile County Sheriffโs Office, Staples was arrested following the release of the disturbing video and is currently being held on a $7,500 bond.
She is scheduled to appear before a judge for a bond hearing on Friday.
Investigators say the video depicts a womanโallegedly Staplesโstriking a young boy repeatedly with a belt while shouting obscenities at him in connection to unfinished chores.
The audio in the footage captures the child crying in pain, and at one point, the woman can be seen forcefully pulling the child to the ground by his hair and lifting him again in a similar manner.
Sheriffโs officials confirmed the investigation began after the clip gained significant public attention online.
The department described the content as “extremely difficult to watch” and confirmed that the child involved has since been placed in a safe environment.
Cottage Hill Christian Academy released a formal statement addressing the incident, emphasizing its commitment to student welfare and transparency. According to the statement, school leadership became aware of the allegations on November 19, 2025, after concerns were raised regarding Staplesโ conduct at her personal residence.
Although the alleged abuse did not occur on school property and did not involve a student from the institution, school administrators stated they took swift and immediate action, placing Staples on administrative leave before ultimately terminating her employment following confirmation of the allegations.
โCottage Hill Christian Academy prioritizes the wellbeing of children above all else,โ
said Head of School Chris Brazell.
โWe will always act promptly, transparently, and responsibly when matters arise that may impact the safety or integrity of our school community.โ
The academy noted full cooperation with Mobile Police, the Mobile County Sheriffโs Office, the Department of Human Resources, and the Mobile County District Attorneyโs Office as the criminal case proceeds.
Authorities say the investigation remains active and additional charges have not been ruled out. Further court proceedings are pending.
Crime
16-year-old Khyon Smith-Tate found shot to death inside Chipotle bathroom on edge of Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA โ A 16-year-old boy was fatally shot inside the bathroom of a Chipotle restaurant near Temple Universityโs campus in North Philadelphia on Monday afternoon, police said, as students and staff returned for the first day of the Spring 2026 semester.
The shooting occurred at approximately 5:00 p.m. inside the Chipotle located in the 1100 block of West Montgomery Avenue, on the ground floor of The View at Montgomery apartment complex. The building is situated near Temple Universityโs Student Center and TECH Center.
Police later identified the victim as Khyon Smith-Tate, a North Philadelphia resident. Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said Smith-Tate was found with a gunshot wound to the chest and was pronounced dead at 5:24 p.m.
Temple University President John Fry and Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police Jennifer Griffin issued a joint statement following the incident:
โThe loss of life to gun violence is a profound tragedy, and there are no words that can make sense of it. Our thoughts are with the victimโs family and loved ones.โ
According to investigators, Smith-Tate and another minor entered the restaurant and requested access to the restroom. Chief Inspector Small said the shooting is believed to have occurred inside the bathroom.
Moments later, employees discovered Smith-Tate suffering from a gunshot wound. Police recovered one spent shell casing from a semiautomatic weapon inside the restroom.
Although the victimโs last known address was approximately eight blocks from the scene, authorities have not indicated what brought him to the location or what led to the shooting.
At the time of the incident, the restaurant was crowded, and multiple individuals inside the business were detained briefly for questioning. However, police said they have not yet obtained any statements from witnesses who reported hearing a gunshot.
A person of interest was taken into custody several blocks from the scene shortly after the shooting, but Chief Inspector Small said that individualโs involvement remains unclear.
As of Tuesday, police confirmed that no arrests have been made and no motive has been established.
Investigators believe Smith-Tate entered the restroom with another minor, though the whereabouts of that individual remain unknown.
Police are also seeking information about three possible suspects, described as teenagers carrying backpacks.
Chief Inspector Small noted that the area is equipped with numerous surveillance cameras, which detectives are reviewing as part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Philadelphia Police Department.