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 Sheriff’s 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 woman—allegedly Staples—striking 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.
Sheriff’s 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 Staples’ 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.
“Cottage Hill Christian Academy prioritizes the wellbeing of children above all else,”
said Head of School Chris Brazell.
“We will always act promptly, transparently, and responsibly when matters arise that may impact the safety or integrity of our school community.”
The academy noted full cooperation with Mobile Police, the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, the Department of Human Resources, and the Mobile County District Attorney’s 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
New Mexico Teen Darren Munoz Charged With Orchestrating Parents’ Murders in Alleged Financial Plot
A 19-year-old New Mexico man is facing multiple murder-related charges after authorities allege he arranged the killings of his father and stepmother as part of a plan to gain control of their finances and property.
Darren Munoz, 19, is accused of recruiting a friend, 18-year-old Julio Zamora, to carry out the fatal shootings of Oscar Munoz, 58, and Dina Munoz, 71, inside the family’s home in Clovis, New Mexico—located more than 200 miles east of Albuquerque.
Both suspects were taken into custody on Monday, December 15.
According to an arrest affidavit, investigators believe the killings were premeditated and planned over the course of weeks or months. Authorities allege Munoz intended to seize his parents’ assets and financial holdings and believed his father owned an Allsups convenience store franchise, a chain operating hundreds of locations across Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico.
Prosecutors allege the plan called for Zamora to enter the residence through the garage during the early morning hours and shoot both victims while they slept.
Investigators also identified a second individual as a potential backup should Zamora fail to carry out the plan.
Police were dispatched to the Clovis residence at approximately 4:50 a.m. on December 15 after receiving a report of a possible burglary.
Upon arrival, officers found Munoz standing near the open garage.
According to police, Munoz told officers there was no emergency and attempted to dissuade them from entering the home, stating his parents were asleep.
Officers were eventually permitted inside the residence.
Investigators state that Munoz later emerged from a bedroom with blood on his hands.
Both Oscar and Dina Munoz had sustained gunshot wounds to the head. Dina Munoz was pronounced dead at the scene, while Oscar Munoz was transported to a hospital in Lubbock, Texas, where he later died from his injuries.
Munoz reportedly told investigators he was awakened by the sound of the garage door alarm but claimed he did not hear any gunshots.
Authorities noted that this account appeared inconsistent with the home’s layout.
Investigators also reported there were no signs of forced entry and no evidence that property had been stolen.
Additional evidence surfaced during the investigation, including statements from Munoz’s girlfriend, who told police he had previously discussed trading an AR-style rifle for another firearm.
Surveillance footage reportedly shows Munoz carrying a 9mm Glock handgun several hours before the killings. Investigators also confirmed that Munoz, Zamora, and others had recently purchased 9mm ammunition together.
Zamora was later arrested outside his residence, where authorities recovered a 9mm Glock handgun believed to have been used in the murders.
Investigators allege Zamora admitted that Munoz asked him to kill his parents.
Darren Munoz is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and solicitation to commit first-degree murder.
Julio Zamora faces two counts of murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
Both defendants have entered not guilty pleas as the case proceeds through the court system.