Ex-principal avoids jail after boozy underage party held at her Florida home

Silas Morgan, Orlando Sentinel on Feb 6, 2026

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ORLANDO, Fla. — A former Brevard County school principal accused of allowing a raucous, alcohol-fueled party for minors at her home last year accepted a plea deal Monday that allows her to avoid jail time.

Prosecutors said the party at the home of Elizabeth Hill-Brodigan, the former principal of Roosevelt Elementary School in Cocoa Beach, on the night of Jan. 19, 2025, led to one student being evaluated by paramedics for alcohol poisoning and another being arrested for driving under the influence.

Hill-Brodigan was sentenced Monday to two years of probation after pleading no contest to holding an open house party and contributing to the delinquency or dependency of minors as part of the deal, prosecutors announced that day.

Cocoa Beach police responded to Hill-Brodigan’s home that night after receiving multiple calls about the party, some of which said minors were seen walking toward the home through other peoples’ yards and yelled obscenities at them. The was an active party at the home when police initially arrived, the former principal’s arrest warrant affidavit said.

Officers found more than 100 minors wearing matching T-shirts and many were drinking alcohol from coolers at the home, according to a news release issued by the Cocoa Beach Police Department in the days following the party.

The affidavit mentions two intoxicated underage girls being pulled over in a traffic stop. The driver was arrested and had a blood alcohol content of 0.118, above the legal limit, while her passenger was cited for possessing marijuana.

An underage male was also found vomiting and shaking, according to the affidavit. Brevard County Fire Rescue was called to treat a minor having an alcohol-related medical event on the home’s front lawn.

During this time, Hill-Brodigan was seen by officers in the home’s driveway turning off outside lights before going inside. Because she turned them off, fire-rescue personnel had to use auxiliary lighting on their vehicle to treat the minor, the release said.

Police interviewed numerous minors in the days after the party. They told police the party featured multiple fights, marijuana and that one minor attendee had been taking photos with a gun, according to the affidavit.

The document is partially redacted, but it appears to indicate that minors also told police the party was hosted by a relative of Hill-Brodigan’s that attended Cocoa Beach High School. The Cocoa Beach Police Department didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment Friday to clarify.

The minors said they knew Hill-Brodigan was the principal of Roosevelt Elementary and that such parties happened once or twice a month. They also said those who arrived early were asked by Hill-Brodigan to help make preparations for the party, the affidavit said.

They also told police alcohol was readily available in multiple red and white coolers inside the residence, that Hill-Brodigan made no attempt to stop the party at any point and that she seemed OK with what was happening, according to the affidavit.

Hill-Brodigan must have no unsupervised contact with minors, host no parties at her home where alcohol or marijuana are present, and obey a 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew during her probation and will not be formally convicted of any crimes if she successfully complies with the conditions, prosecutors said.

Her attorney, Kepler Funk, emphasized to The Orlando Sentinel on Friday that his client hadn’t admitted to any wrongdoing and the plea deal would eventually allow her to lawfully seal her arrest record.

“This agreement allows her to maintain her innocence while simultaneously bringing finality to the case,” he said. “…Elizabeth is not convicted of any crime…she thought it in her best interest to resolve the case in the way we positioned it.”

Yvette Cruz, a spokesperson for Brevard Public Schools, said Hill-Brodigan was placed on administrative leave following her arrest and that her contract was later not renewed. Cruz also said Hill-Brodigan won’t be considered for reemployment at the school district.

“We hold our leaders to the highest standards, and the conduct reflected in this plea agreement represents a serious breach of the trust placed in this former principal,” Crux said. “Our focus is on supporting families and ensuring leadership that reflects our values.”

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